Visa agrees to acquire BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash

Visa announced on Monday, August 3, 2026, that it has agreed to acquire the fraud detection company BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash. The acquisition, which is being purchased from funds advised by private equity firm Permira and other shareholders, represents a major expansion of the payment giant's cybersecurity and financial crime prevention capabilities.

The deal centers on BioCatch's behavioral biometrics technology, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze thousands of real-time signals during a user's digital banking session. These signals include keystroke dynamics, mouse movements, touchscreen gestures, and device handling patterns to create a behavioral profile that distinguishes legitimate account holders from fraudsters. The technology is designed to identify threats such as account takeovers, scams, and application fraud before a financial transaction is completed.

Andrew Torre, president of value-added services at Visa, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the purchase. He stated that account takeovers and scams cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually and that artificial intelligence is enabling these attacks at an...