After record raise Stripe launches in five more European countries

via AltFi

Payment provider giant Stripe has today revealed that it will now be available in five more European countries following successful beta testing.

Stripe has launched in the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta, taking its total to 39 countries worldwide, 29 of which are in Europe.

The “world’s most valuable fintech startup” first teased its imminent European expansion last month following a record $600m raise that also saw it reach a $36bn post-money valuation.

Matt Henderson, Stripe’s business lead for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said: “We are excited about bringing Stripe to even more European countries, making payment acceptance and money movement faster and less complicated for everyone. 

“We are nearing our goal of making Stripe universally available to businesses across the continent.”

While millions of startups have seen their purse strings tighten, Stripe has seen an increase in demand for its services.

Stripe says that its plans for expansion had been “increased by the accelerated shift from offline to online that the COVID-19 crisis has brought with it.”

Last month, following the news of its record raise, Stripe president and co-founder John Collison said: “People who never dreamt of using the internet to see the doctor or buy groceries are now doing so out of necessity.”

Stripe’s expansion means companies can now access the fintech’s services to help w