STATE OF FINTECHS M&A

Latin America accounts for just 6% of global fintech exits.

Data from CB Insights’ State of Fintech Q1 2026 report shows that between 2022 and 2025, the region maintained a meaningful share of global venture capital activity, with Brazil accounting for roughly 40% of regional funding. When it comes to exits, however, that relevance largely disappears. In other words, Latin America continues to generate deals, but not liquidity.

The slowdown in fintech M&A weighed on global exit activity, which fell to its lowest level in 18 months, with 199 transactions recorded in Q1 2026. In Latin America, fintech M&A exits declined from 21 transactions in 2025 to 10 in 2026, while the region produced only two IPOs.

At the same time, transactions such as Brex’s $5.15 billion acquisition by Capital One, the largest fintech acquisition ever recorded, and Mastercard’s $1.8 billion acquisition of BVNK highlight a different trend: strategic buyers are paying significant premiums for proven technology and scalable platforms.

Latin America now faces a growing backlog of fintech companies in need of liquidity events. While M&A activity has become less frequent, the market is increasingly rewarding companies that arrive well-positioned, with strong governance, clear operating metrics, and a well-defined acquisition thesis.

STATE OF FINTECHS M&A

By DealMaker Insights | DealMaker