Global Payments speeds up Worldpay deal to boost Genius POS

Global Payments moved up the timeline for its $22.7 billion acquisition of Worldpay after receiving regulatory approval, adjusting its plans for the integration of its Genius point-of-sale (POS) system. The transaction, initially expected to close in the first half of 2026, will now be finalized in the first quarter of 2026, following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority in October. The sale also includes GTCR’s stake in Worldpay as part of the transaction.

The deal refocuses Global Payments’ operations by establishing it as a dedicated acquiring processor. To support this change, the company agreed to sell its card-issuing division to FIS Inc. for $13.5 billion, allowing it to concentrate on building a unified global platform. CEO Cameron Bready described this shift during a conference call as transforming Global Payments into “a single, unified company worldwide.”

Genius, which launched in May, has since broadened its reach beyond its initial deployment. In June, the system expanded to other merchant markets, with enterprise-level sellers added last month. The company has made the technology a priority, with 90% of Genius sales coming from new customers. Handheld POS devices have also been introduced, and the system is now targeting international markets, including the United Kingdom and Austria. Future launches are planned for Germany and Australia.

Bready called Genius a key growth driver, stating, “Those transactions catalyze everything we’re doing.” The integration of Worldpay’s merchant network will strengthen this effort, as Global Payments seeks to utilize those distribution channels. Beyond the acquisition, the company is expanding its sales team, with plans to hire 500 new employees in North America to drive growth.

In the third quarter, Global Payments recorded $2 billion in adjusted net revenue, up 2% from the same period in 2024. Net income reached $635 million, doubling the previous year’s figure. These results reflect the company’s focus on scaling Genius while preparing for the Worldpay integration.