Checkout.com Initiates Employee Share Buyback Amid Adjusted Valuations

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 26, 2025

London-based fintech leader Checkout.com has unveiled a pioneering share buyback program, offering employees a timely opportunity to monetize their equity at an internally updated valuation. With this strategic move, the payments platform reinforces its commitment to rewarding long-term contributions and ensuring liquidity for its team amidst shifting market dynamics.

Strategic Move to Enhance Employee Value

In a recent announcement, Checkout.com confirmed it would launch the share buyback initiative, allowing staff to access cash by selling a portion of their shares. The decision comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to sustain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape. The internal valuation now stands at approximately $12 billion, a notable adjustment from its previous funding figures.

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Navigating Market Valuations and Growth Prospects

Previously valued at $40 billion during a $1 billion funding round in 2022, the company has since recalibrated its internal metrics, with figures reported as low as $11 billion later that year. Despite this revaluation, Checkout.com maintains robust operational metrics, aiming to exceed a target of 30% core net revenue growth. Furthermore, the firm forecasts an impressive $300 billion in annual e-commerce payment volume, underscoring its resilience in a competitive market that includes heavyweights such as Stripe, Adyen, and PayPal.

Innovation and Future Growth

CEO and founder Guillaume Pousaz reinforced the company’s forward-looking strategy, emphasizing a relentless focus on growth and innovation. With the anticipated impact of artificial intelligence and the rise of agentic commerce, Checkout.com is well-positioned to harness new technological advancements and market opportunities. This sentiment mirrors actions taken by other leading fintechs, as illustrated by recent moves from Stripe and Revolut, both of which have also introduced secondary market share sales.

A New Paradigm in Fintech Employee Incentives

The share buyback initiative is emblematic of a broader industry trend, where private fintech companies are increasingly offering employees liquidity despite prolonged periods away from public market pressures. This approach not only incentivizes staff but also aligns employee interests with the company’s strategic vision for future success.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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