Rundown #36: Klarna’s $1B IPO, Skype’s Shutdown, Alibaba’s AI Surge, AI-Powered Payments, and Wizz Air’s Fintech Move

Hi again, and welcome back to this week’s Five Point Friday roundup! Let’s dive into the latest in payments, tech, and digital finance. Let’s dive into the latest in payments, tech, and digital finance.

Klarna gears up for a $1B IPO on the NYSE, aiming for a $15B+ valuation. With BNPL booming, Klarna’s move could reignite tech IPOs, paving the way for Chime and Zilch .

Skype is shutting down in May, with Microsoft redirecting users to Teams. Once a communication giant, Skype couldn’t keep up with Zoom , WhatsApp , and FaceTime. Furthermore, 阿里巴巴集团 ’s AI breakthrough—its QwQ-32B model is taking on DeepSeek AI 's-R1, pushing AI efficiency in math and coding. The announcement sent its Hong Kong stock soaring 8.4%.

Skyfire is bringing payments to AI agents, allowing them to transact autonomously. Backed by ex- Ripple and 谷歌 leaders, this innovation could redefine AI-driven commerce, and Wizz Air and Revolut team up for seamless one-click flight payments. UK travelers using Revolut Pay get faster checkout, extra RevPoints, and cashback perks.

These updates are shaping the future of payments, tech, and finance. Let’s run through it! ??

?? Klarna Poised for $1 Billion IPO Amid BNPL Boom

1. IPO Filing Imminent: Klarna is reportedly just days away from filing for a $1 billion IPO, aiming for a $15 billion+ valuation on the New York Stock Exchange. If finalized, pricing is expected in early April, marking a major step for the Swedish payments giant.
2. BNPL Growth Fuels Market Confidence: Klarna’s IPO comes amid rising demand for buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions, as consumers across income levels seek flexible payment options. The public listing could also revitalize tech IPOs, paving the way for Chime, Zilch, and others to follow.
3. Shifting Focus in Fintech & SaaS: Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski predicts SaaS industry consolidation, as companies increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions. Klarna itself has cut 1,200 SaaS suppliers, opting for an internal tech stack, signaling a shift in how FinTech's approach technology.

?? Microsoft to Shut Down Skype After Two Decades

1. End of an Era: Microsoft has confirmed that Skype will shut down in May, directing users to Microsoft Teams’ free tier for future communications. This marks the end of the once-dominant internet calling service, which revolutionized global communication in the 2000s.
2. Declining Popularity & Rising Competition: Despite a brief pandemic surge, Skype has struggled against competitors like Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, and WhatsApp. Microsoft has also shifted focus to Teams, integrating its features into business and personal communication tools.
3. A Billion-Dollar Journey: Launched in 2003 in Estonia, Skype saw multiple acquisitions, including eBay (2005, $2.6B) and Microsoft (2011, $8.5B). However, its relevance dwindled as Microsoft invested heavily in Teams, sealing Skype’s fate as a tech relic of the past.

?? Alibaba's AI Breakthrough Sends Stock Soaring

1. QwQ-32B Takes on DeepSeek-R1: Alibaba has unveiled QwQ-32B, its latest AI reasoning model, claiming it can rival DeepSeek’s groundbreaking R1. Despite fewer parameters (32B vs. 671B), Alibaba touts its model’s efficiency, particularly in math and coding.
2. Stock Surge & Market Optimism: Following the announcement, Alibaba’s Hong Kong shares jumped 8.39%, reaching a new 52-week high, while its New York-listed shares dipped slightly. The stock is already up 71% year-to-date in Hong Kong, fueled by AI-driven growth in its Cloud Intelligence division.
3. The AI Race Intensifies: With DeepSeek disrupting expectations, AI dominance is up for grabs. Analysts suggest that as models become more efficient and cost-effective, widespread adoption will skyrocket. This shift could accelerate Alibaba’s revenue growth, reinforcing AI as the future battleground for tech giants.

?? Skyfire Unlocks Payments for AI Agents

1. Autonomous AI Transactions: Skyfire is solving AI’s biggest limitation—payments. Its new infrastructure enables AI agents to pay for services, access paywalls, and make purchases without human intervention, streamlining AI-driven commerce.
2. Secure, Scalable Payment Layer: Designed for the AI economy, Skyfire offers secure wallet access, verifiable agent identity, and an open payment protocol, ensuring seamless, high-speed transactions across global markets.
3. Industry-Backed Innovation: Founded by ex-Ripple and Google leaders, Skyfire has raised $8.5M and is now launching after strong beta success. By bridging AI and payments, the company is redefining how AI interacts with financial systems.

?? Wizz Air and Revolut Join Forces to Simplify Travel Payments

1. Seamless Checkout for Travelers: Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air has partnered with Revolut Pay to introduce one-click payments, first in-app and later on the website by May. UK customers can now book flights effortlessly without entering payment details, approving transactions via the Revolut app with biometric security.
2. Exclusive Rewards & Cashback: New Revolut users can earn up to ￡25 back after signing up and spending ￡5. Additionally, RevPoints earned through purchases can be redeemed for flights and other perks. Until April 4, 2025, customers using Revolut Pay for Wizz Air bookings earn 10x more RevPoints.
3. A Game-Changer for Travel Payments: This partnership gives 62 million Wizz Air passengers access to cheaper, faster, and more flexible payment solutions. By integrating fintech innovation with travel, Revolut and Wizz Air are reshaping the booking experience, making it simpler, more rewarding, and cost-effective.

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