Wise
✓ Verified by EU AltsInternational money transfers at the real exchange rate — a UK alternative to PayPal and Western Union.
Overview
Wise builds fintech and payments software since 2011 and is listed with a London, United Kingdom base. Its recorded ownership is based in United Kingdom, so EU jurisdiction is not assumed. EU Alts has not independently confirmed its exposure to the US CLOUD Act — the ownership and hosting facts recorded for it do not establish that it is outside the Act's reach — see the Details section below for what's known so far.
Why European teams pick Wise
Teams in Europe consider Wise when they want a fintech provider that bills in EUR, operating since 2011. EU Alts has not independently verified Wise's exposure to the US CLOUD Act — check the Details section for the recorded facts.
See more EU fintech tools or browse other startups from United Kingdom.
About
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a UK-founded fintech founded in 2011 that offers international money transfers at the real mid-market exchange rate with transparent, low fees — typically far cheaper than bank wire transfers or PayPal. It provides personal and business accounts with local account details in 10+ currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, etc.), debit cards, and batch payment tools for payroll. Wise holds an Electronic Money Institution licence in Belgium and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK). EU business accounts are operated from Belgium, with data processed under GDPR. Wise is the standard choice for European freelancers, remote teams, and businesses that receive or send payments in multiple currencies.
Details
- Founded
- 2011
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Ownership
- Independently owned (United Kingdom)
- Verified
- 2026-09-03
- Last checked
- 2026-09-03
- Company size
- 200+ employees
Compare with the US product you may be replacing
Wise is listed in a category that our US-product comparison pages cover. See every EU option side by side:
Also from United Kingdom
1 other listed company is based in United Kingdom. In the same categories as Wise:
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Frequently asked questions
What does Wise do?
Wise is international money transfers at the real exchange rate — a uk alternative to paypal and western union. It is listed under fintech and payments on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European fintech tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from Stripe.
Is Wise GDPR compliant?
Wise is listed in London, United Kingdom, but its recorded ownership is based in United Kingdom, so EU jurisdiction is not assumed. EU Alts has not independently verified Wise's exposure to the US CLOUD Act; check the recorded ownership and hosting facts below before relying on it for Schrems II purposes.
How do teams switch from Stripe to Wise?
Teams considering a move from Stripe to Wise are usually drawn by its fintech workflow fit. EU Alts has not independently verified Wise's exposure to the US CLOUD Act, so treat any CLOUD Act or Schrems II conclusions as provisional. Plan a migration in stages regardless: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Wise with a small team, then move the rest once integration coverage is confirmed.
Where is Wise based?
Wise is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company was founded in 2011. Its main website is https://wise.com.