Airwallex

If you’re billing customers in one currency, paying contractors in another, and banking in a third, traditional business banking taxes every move. Airwallex fixes most of that with a single account that holds 20+ currencies natively.

Who it’s for

Founders running operations across borders. SaaS companies with international customers, agencies with overseas contractors, e-commerce brands sourcing from Asia. Pre-launch UK and EU founders also use it as a primary account.

If your operations are entirely domestic, the case is weaker. Mercury (US) or Tide (UK) probably suit you better.

What it actually does well

Holding currencies natively is the differentiator most founders underrate until they need it. When a US customer pays you in dollars, those dollars sit in a USD balance. When you pay a Polish contractor in zloty, you draw from a PLN balance you topped up at a competitive FX rate. No forced conversion at every transaction.

The card programme is solid: virtual cards for subscriptions, physical cards for travel and ad spend, expense management built in. Invoicing handles international tax requirements.

Where it gets awkward

KYC onboarding takes longer than challenger banks built around speed. Expect document requests and verification calls, especially if you’re a newer entity. US availability is narrower than UK, EU, and APAC, and some advanced treasury features are locked behind volume tiers.

How it compares

Versus Wise Business: Airwallex is more of a full account, Wise is more of a transfer tool with account features attached. For founders who need actual banking infrastructure, Airwallex pulls ahead.

Versus Revolut Business: similar feature set, different geographies of strength. Airwallex is stronger in APAC, Revolut is stronger in EU consumer-facing tools.