Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise, originally founded as TransferWise in 2011, is a global technology company specializing in international money transfers and multi-currency banking services. The company was established by Estonian entrepreneurs Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus with the goal of making cross-border payments cheaper and more transparent compared to traditional banking systems.

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, Wise operates as a digital-first platform. Unlike physical goods, its services are "manufactured" through its global software infrastructure and licensed operational hubs located in various financial centers including London, New York, Singapore, and Brussels. The company rebranded from TransferWise to Wise in 2021 to reflect its expanded product suite, which now includes the Wise Account and Wise Business debit cards.

Wise is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: WISE). It is not owned by a larger traditional banking conglomerate; rather, it remains an independent entity owned by its shareholders, which include its original founders and various institutional investors. It operates through local subsidiaries in different regions to comply with specific national financial regulations.