Merchants Eye — Payments & Ecommerce News

Airwallex Integrates Affirm to Enable Buy Now Pay Later for Global Merchants Selling in the US

By Lauren Towner · 14 August 2026

Press Release: Airwallex Integrates Affirm to Enable Buy Now Pay Later for Global Merchants Selling in the US | Featured Image by FF News

Quick Summary

Airwallex has integrated Affirm to allow eligible merchants across 35 markets to offer Buy Now, Pay Later options to US shoppers. This integration enables businesses to provide interest-free installments and monthly plans without requiring a local US entity, leveraging Affirm's network of nearly 27 million users.

How Does the Airwallex Affirm Integration Work for Merchants?

Airwallex has simplified the process for international businesses to access the US market by removing the need for a local US entity to offer Affirm. Merchants can manage this payment method through their existing Airwallex setup using a single integration. This flexibility is supported across various technical implementations, including:

  • Hosted Payment Page and Drop-in Elements
  • Mobile SDK and Native API
  • Shopify and Payment Links
By integrating Affirm, merchants can tap into a growing ecosystem where active consumers increased by 22% year-over-year as of March 31, 2026. The platform supports over 160 payment methods globally, allowing businesses to maintain a localized payment mix while specifically targeting US demand.

Why Should Businesses Offer Affirm to US Shoppers?

Affirm provides a significant advantage for merchants selling high-value goods such as electronics, furniture, and travel services. The service allows shoppers to split purchases into four interest-free installments or select monthly payment plans with no hidden fees. This flexibility helps consumers move forward with larger purchase decisions on their own terms. The scale of the opportunity is reflected in Affirm's recent performance metrics:

  • Close to 27 million users as of March 2026
  • 44% year-over-year growth in active merchants
  • US$11.6 billion in gross merchandise volume for the quarter ending March 31, 2026
The integration ensures that the checkout experience remains seamless for the customer while providing the transparency of upfront costs and no compounding interest.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This move by Airwallex significantly lowers the barrier to entry for global merchants targeting the lucrative US consumer base. By eliminating the requirement for a local US entity to offer Affirm, Airwallex is directly addressing a major friction point in cross-border commerce. Given Affirm's substantial growth in merchant adoption and transaction volume, this integration is a meaningful expansion of Airwallex's ecosystem that will likely drive higher conversion rates for international retailers.

Companies in this story: Affirm, Shopify, Airwallex

People in this story: Zhen Heng Low

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