Do we like them?

Do we like Wise?

International money transfer and multi-currency account provider, headquartered in London, UK.

Our score: 6 out of 10. Cheap, popular transfers and a mostly clean record. But there have been AML fines, a CEO tax-disclosure fine and founder voting control, so we'd back them with some caution.

Wise is the London fintech co-founded by Kristo Käärmann that built its name on cheaper international money transfers. In May 2026 it moved its primary listing to Nasdaq, keeping a secondary listing in London.

Governance is a worry. Reports say Käärmann holds about 18% of the economic interest but nearly 50% of the votes through Class B shares. That's a lot of say for one person.

In October 2024 the FCA fined Käärmann £350,000 over how he handled disclosures about his personal tax. The FCA called it careless, not deliberate, and Wise said the regulator found him fit to stay on as CEO.

The company has also been fined over its controls. Abu Dhabi's regulator fined it about $360,000 over money-laundering checks, and a US multistate settlement set a $4.2m penalty. In Estonia it was fined €3.7m. The CFPB also took action over remittance practices, then cut the penalty.