In November 2024, MoonPay launched a new payment tool called MoonPay Balance, enabling users to store and spend fiat balances for decentralized finance interactions.

MoonPay has acquired Helio, a prominent Solana-based crypto payment processor, significantly enhancing its portfolio with Helio's technology and team.

Helio, founded in 2022, has processed over $1.5 billion in transactions and serves more than 6,000 merchants, integrating with platforms like Discord, WooCommerce, and Shopify.

Helio's services include customizable on-chain checkout flows and the creation of 'Pay Links' for merchants to facilitate instant cryptocurrency payments.

Notable clients of Helio include Magic Eden, Hivemapper, Solana Labs, and Polygon Labs, showcasing its strong presence in the crypto ecosystem.

The acquisition, valued at approximately $175 million, is expected to bolster MoonPay's payment solutions and reinforce its market leadership.

MoonPay's partnership with PayPal allows users to buy and sell over 110 cryptocurrencies through their PayPal accounts, further expanding its user base.

As of late 2024, MoonPay boasted a user base of around 20 million across more than 160 countries, reflecting its growing influence in the crypto market.

Stijn Paumen, CEO of Helio, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating it will accelerate their mission to provide fast and affordable crypto payment solutions.

The acquisition aligns with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which aims to provide a regulatory structure for digital assets, promoting consumer protection and market transparency.

MoonPay received regulatory approval under the MiCA framework from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, allowing for service expansion across the European Economic Area.

Key use cases for Helio include facilitating NFT pre-sales on Magic Eden and ticket sales for significant events, underscoring its operational impact in the crypto space.