Austin, September 24, 2025
News Summary
Wise, the fintech company, is expanding its Austin hub by tripling office space to 90,000 square feet in preparation for an upcoming stock listing. With over 700 employees in the U.S., hiring is ongoing across various departments. Despite a cooling tech growth in Austin, Wise remains committed to enhancing service delivery for its North American customers and recently partnered with Upwork to streamline freelancer payouts, showcasing strong industry confidence in its infrastructure.
Austin, Texas – Wise, a prominent fintech company, is set to expand its North American hub in Austin in preparation for an upcoming stock listing. The expansion involves tripling its office space to 90,000 square feet, reinforcing Wise’s commitment to its growth in the region.
Currently, Wise employs over 700 individuals across its U.S. offices, with a majority based in Austin. The company’s people lead for North America has confirmed that hiring is ongoing in various departments, including servicing, engineering, tech, and operations. This recruitment drive reflects Wise’s strategy to foster a “full-stack office,” encouraging collaboration across different disciplines within the same workspace.
The Austin office initially opened in January 2022 and has since relocated to the Domain in 2023, driven by the city’s ongoing tech boom. However, recent reports indicate a cooling in tech growth for Texas in 2024, with Austin experiencing a 6% decline in headcount at VC-backed startups. Despite this trend, Wise emphasizes that its investment in the city is intentional, aiming to enhance service delivery to its North American customers.
In addition to expanding its physical presence, Wise is also growing its Wise Platforms sector through a new partnership with Upwork, which focuses on freelancer payouts. This collaboration positions Wise Platforms as an infrastructure partner for Upwork, streamlining international payments to freelancers. Notably, major companies such as Standard Chartered, Morgan Stanley, Brex, Google Pay, and Ramp utilize Wise Platforms, signifying strong industry confidence in its capabilities.
The partnership is expected to enhance the speed of payments for Upwork’s freelancers, improving existing payment processes. Wise Platforms is known for its remarkable efficiency, boasting a 99.5% straight-through processing rate, with 70% of payments settling in 20 seconds or less. Analysts from Jefferies have noted that Wise is at a critical turning point concerning its technology outsourcing offerings.
Despite Wise recently missing earnings targets in its quarterly report, the company maintains optimism about its international growth and prospects. The overall economic environment is being shaped by the Federal Reserve’s moderate policy stance, which Chairman Jerome Powell describes as “modestly restrictive,” enabling flexibility amid economic uncertainties.
The technology sector continues to show resilience and innovation, with numerous projects and partnerships aimed at advancing the financial services industry, including Wise’s recent moves.
FAQ
What is Wise’s expansion plan in Austin?
Wise is expanding its North American hub in Austin, Texas, by tripling its office space to 90,000 square feet in preparation for an upcoming stock listing.
How many employees does Wise have in the U.S.?
Wise employs over 700 individuals in its U.S. offices, with a majority based in Austin.
What is the focus of Wise’s partnership with Upwork?
Wise is expanding its Wise Platforms sector through a partnership with Upwork that focuses on freelancer payouts.
What is Wise’s processing efficiency?
Wise Platforms boasts a 99.5% straight-through processing rate, with 70% of payments settling in 20 seconds or less.
How is the tech growth outlook for Austin in 2024?
Recent reports indicate a cooling tech growth in Texas for 2024, with Austin seeing a 6% decline in headcount at VC-backed startups.
Key Features of Wise’s Expansion and Partnership
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Expansion | Tripling the office space to 90,000 square feet in Austin. |
| Employee Count | Over 700 individuals in U.S. offices, with most in Austin. |
| Hiring Efforts | Continued hiring in servicing, engineering, tech, and operations. |
| Wise Platforms | New partnership with Upwork for efficient freelancer payouts. |
| Processing Efficiency | 99.5% straight-through processing rate, 70% of payments settling within 20 seconds. |
| Future Outlook | Optimism remains despite recent earnings targets miss; focus on international growth. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Owl’s Brew Seeks Market Manager to Drive Growth in Austin
Dallas Emerges as a Rising Financial Hub with Major Bank Expansions
Austin Welcomes Wise Plc’s Bold Expansion
Tyler, Texas Expands Infrastructure for New Business Park
RealPage Expands Capabilities with Rexera Acquisition
A-One Janitorial Expands Operations in El Paso
Austin’s Medical Office Sector Booms Amid Population Growth
Custom Glass Solutions Launched for Denton Homeowners
Texas Bill Targets Non-Human Behavior in Schools
Texas Business Court Sees Promising Start in Houston
Additional Resources
- Forbes: Austin as a Fintech Powerhouse
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- Bloomberg: Austin’s Growth Strategy
- Google Search: Wise fintech company
- CNBC: Upwork-Wise Partnership
- Google Scholar: Wise Platforms
- Financial Times: Wise’s Growth Plans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fintech companies
- TechCrunch: Wise Expands Austin Office
- Google News: Wise Austin expansion
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.