Grab Acquires US Investing App Stash in US$425 Million Deal

Grab Holdings Limited, the Singapore-based super-app known for its ride-hailing, delivery and digital services, has agreed to acquire the US digital investing platform Stash Financial, Inc. in a transaction valuing the business at approximately US$425 million — a landmark move that signals Grab’s expansion into the U.S. wealth and investing market and further strengthens its global financial services roadmap. The deal arises as Grab pivots toward deeper engagement in fintech, adding high-margin subscription-based investing technology to its existing portfolio of payments, lending and insurance offerings.

Under the terms of the agreement, Grab will initially acquire 50.1 % of the equity at closing, with the remaining stake to be purchased at fair market value over the next three years in a mix of cash and stock, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. Once completed — expected in the third quarter of 2026 — the acquisition will give Grab access to Stash’s over one million paying subscribers and roughly US$5 billion in assets under management, while preserving Stash as an independent U.S. brand.

Grab has said it intends to leverage Stash’s AI-powered investing platform and subscription revenue model to accelerate its own financial services ambitions and explore long-term opportunities to bring Stash-style investment solutions, including tools like AI Money Coach, into its core Southeast Asian markets.

Key Highlights

• $425 million acquisition: Grab confirmed a deal to acquire Stash Financial at an enterprise value of about US$425 million.
• Phased ownership: Grab will buy an initial 50.1 % stake at closing, with the remainder over three years.
• Strategic fintech push: The acquisition strengthens Grab’s financial services footprint.
• Strong Stash performance: Stash manages ~US$5 billion in assets with 1M+ subscribers, and is expected to generate north of US$60 million in Adjusted EBITDA by 2028.
• Independent operations: Stash will continue operating as a standalone U.S. brand led by its existing team.

Why This Acquisition Matters

1. Strategic Expansion Into the U.S. Wealth Market

Grab’s purchase of Stash marks its first major push into the U.S. retail investing segment, a market where Grab previously had little commercial footprint. This deal instantly gives Grab a foothold in the world’s largest financial services market and a platform that complements its existing digital wallet and payments ecosystem.

Stash’s offering centers on accessible investment tools, financial education and automated guidance, supported by subscription revenue — a business model that fits with Grab’s broader ambition to diversify beyond ride-hailing and delivery into high-margin financial services

Stash’s Business Profile and Growth Potential

Founded in 2015, Stash Financial has grown into a popular digital investing app and SEC-regulated registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, serving over one million paying subscribers and managing approximately US$5 billion in assets under management (AUM).

A core component of Stash’s value proposition is its technology-driven financial guidance platform, including products like AI Money Coach, which delivers personalized financial planning and action recommendations using artificial intelligence. According to filings, Stash has driven higher engagement with these tools, with nearly one in two users taking a positive financial action on the same day.

Importantly, Stash is Adjusted EBITDA and cash-flow positive, with forecasts pointing to more than US$60 million in Adjusted EBITDA by the 2028 calendar year.

Strategic Fit for Grab

Grab has been steadily building its super-app ecosystem in Southeast Asia, with offerings spanning mobility, food delivery, digital payments, lending, insurance and digital banking services across countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Adding Stash expands Grab’s financial services vertical into investment and wealth management, complimenting its payments and credit products.

Anthony Tan, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Grab, said the acquisition is “a milestone in Grab’s evolution as a trusted international provider of financial services”, adding that Stash’s technology and high-margin subscription revenues will strengthen Grab’s fintech capabilities while advancing its mission of democratizing financial services.

Deal Structure and Timeline

• Enterprise value: US$425 million for initial purchase.
• Equity structure: 50.1 % at closing, remainder purchased over three years at fair market value.
• Payment mix: Cash and stock at Grab’s discretion.
• Expected closing: Third quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

Stash will continue to operate independently in the U.S. under its current leadership, while Grab explores potential opportunities to extend its financial products across different regions — including leveraging AI-driven investment tools in Southeast Asian markets.

Industry Implications

This acquisition reflects a broader trend of super-apps and fintech platforms expanding beyond core services to capture related financial services markets. By integrating investment technology and subscription revenue streams, Grab is positioning itself to compete more aggressively with traditional banks, fintech challengers and digital investment platforms in global markets.

Moreover, the deal underscores increasing investor appetite for AI-augmented personal finance products that blend regulated financial advice with everyday consumer engagement — an area where data-rich ecosystems like Grab’s could have a competitive edge.

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