The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the proposed acquisition of WorldPay Holdco LLC by Global Payments Inc., a deal that brings together two of the world’s leading payment processing companies.
Global Payments, a U.S.-based provider of payment technology solutions, and WorldPay, a major UK and global payment processor, submitted a merger notification to the CMA for review under the Enterprise Act 2002. The CMA assessed whether the deal could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK payments market. Following its Phase 1 review, the CMA concluded that the merger does not raise concerns requiring a more detailed Phase 2 investigation, and the deal has been cleared to proceed.
The CMA’s review period began on 17 September 2025, and the authority had until 11 November 2025 to decide whether a deeper investigation was needed. With clearance granted, the merger may now move forward, subject to any additional regulatory approvals outside the UK.
The acquisition combines two of the largest players in payment processing and merchant services, a sector critical for retailers, e-commerce platforms, and consumers alike. The CMA’s decision reflects consideration of how consolidation among major providers may affect competition, pricing, and innovation in the payments market.
