Grab Holdings agrees to purchase a majority stake in Singapore-based buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) firm Atome Financial in a US$1.49 billion transaction. The deal is structured to give Grab control of most of Atome as it expands its financial services business. The purchase is positioned as a way for Grab to accelerate lending-related offerings.
Channel NewsAsia reports that Grab will initially hold 60% of Atome, combining Atome’s BNPL loans, consumer cash loans, BNPL cards, and digital lending capabilities with Grab’s existing financial services operations. Bloomberg frames the move as a larger strategic bet on building a new growth pillar through services tied to lending. Both outlets describe the same overall value and intent, with differences mainly in emphasis—one on the stake level and product mix, the other on the broader growth rationale.
