UK watchdog approves Global Payments’ $22.7bn Worldpay acquisition #
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared Global Payments’ $22.7 billion acquisition of Worldpay, removing the final regulatory obstacle for one of the largest deals in the payments sector this year. According to Finextra, the CMA concluded that the merger would not substantially lessen competition in the UK market for merchant acquiring or payment processing services
The approval follows similar clearances from U.S. and European regulators, allowing Global Payments to move forward with integrating Worldpay’s technology and client base. The transaction is expected to enhance Global Payments’ global reach and strengthen its position in omnichannel commerce and digital payment solutions
Industry analysts note that the combined entity will serve millions of merchants worldwide, processing trillions in annual payment volume. The deal reflects continued consolidation among major payment processors as they expand capabilities in real-time payments, AI-driven fraud prevention, and cross-border settlements.