Japan’s SBI to Acquire Majority Stake in Solaris

Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!

SBI Holdings Inc. from Japan is set to acquire over 70% stake in German banking-as-a-service provider Solaris SE, with a €100 million investment as part of a larger €150 million funding round. The deal, which includes participation from Boerse Stuttgart Group and existing investors, aims to secure Solaris's path to profitability over the next two years.

This strategic move comes amid broader challenges in Germany's F sector, where rising interest rates, increased regulatory scrutiny, and reduced investor support have forced several billion-dollar companies to reassess their valuations. Solaris's own valuation has significantly decreased from its 2021 peak of $1.6 billion.

A Solaris spokesman confirmed on Monday: "A group of investors and partners have developed a coordinated financing concept that has been submitted to our shareholders for approval." This comes as Solaris has reduced its workforce from 700 to 450 employees amid regulatory challenges with BaFin and various operational costs.

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Cheers,

Marcel

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