Advent-Stripe reported to drop PayPal bid

A consortium led by Advent International and Stripe has decided to abandon its pursuit of PayPal Holdings, ending talks that could have formed one of the largest fintech acquisitions. The group had discussed a deal valued around the $50 billion to $60 billion range, with a reported bid of about $60.50 per share and financing arranged by major banks, but PayPal’s board determined the offer undervalued the company given its growth prospects under CEO Enrique Lores. The withdrawal follows weeks of negotiations and comes after Block (formerly Square) exited earlier in the process, leaving Stripe and Advent to walk away empty-handed. PayPal’s shares had previously moved on the news, with market chatter indicating volatility around the bid’s fate. The collapsed bid marks a major turning point in the payments landscape, as Stripe’s private‑equity backing sought to consolidate the space while PayPal continues to pursue its own strategic plans.