Visa Acquires UK-Based Fintech Tappit to Expand Contactless Payments in Live Events

Date: June 21, 2025


Visa Inc. has acquired Tappit, a UK-based fintech company specializing in cashless payment solutions for live events, concerts, and sports venues. The acquisition—valued at approximately $460 million—aims to deepen Visa’s reach in the booming event tech market, where fans demand faster, more secure, and immersive payment experiences.

Tappit’s tech enables wristband-based contactless payments, real-time fan engagement analytics, and even age-verification for alcohol purchases. With this acquisition, Visa will integrate Tappit’s technology into its broader tap-to-pay ecosystem, offering seamless transactions at stadiums, festivals, and arenas globally.

The move follows Visa’s broader strategy to expand beyond traditional finance and become a core infrastructure provider for real-world experiences through embedded finance.

Key Highlights:

  • Visa taps into $25B live event economy
  • Tappit supports wearables, NFC tags, and mobile payments
  • Strengthens Visa’s merchant network in sports and entertainment
  • Expands capabilities in data-driven fan engagement

Why It Matters:
This acquisition positions Visa as a leader in event-based fintech, creating opportunities for real-time, frictionless transactions and valuable consumer data insights.

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