A few years ago, only a handful of online stores would have listed Klarna as a payment option. Today, the buy-now-pay-later company is a fixture alongside digital-payment titans like Mastercard—and itself a giant, valued at $45.6 billion. Over the past year, it has extended its reach to 45 countries, launched a physical Visa card in the U.S., and increased net operating income by 38% to $1.6 billion. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, however, is probing Klarna and similar firms over concerns about consumer debt; the company is cooperating.
A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now, You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
