SafeCharge
SafeCharge was a Canadian payment service provider offering payment processing, alternative payment connectivity and fraud-prevention solutions before being acquired and absorbed by Nuvei in 2019.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
SafeCharge was a payment technology and acquiring business founded in 2006 by Teddy Sagi and David Avgi. The company began with Israeli founders and operations in Bulgaria, then developed into an international payments provider headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Its business combined payment processing, gateway services, connections to local and international payment methods, and tools intended to help merchants manage transaction risk and fraud. The company served merchants that needed to accept cards and alternative payment methods across multiple jurisdictions. SafeCharge held principal membership status for merchant acquiring with Visa and Mastercard Europe from 2013, became a licensed Mastercard member in 2014, and obtained corresponding Visa membership in 2015. These credentials supported its role in processing card payments and connecting merchants to payment networks. It also connected merchants with more than 300 global and regional alternative payment methods, including Alipay and WeChat Pay in China, Apple Pay in the United States, iDEAL in the Netherlands, POLi in Australia, PayPal internationally, and American Express. SafeCharge expanded its corporate footprint through offices and operations in Europe, Asia, North America and other markets. Before its acquisition, the company had more than 400 employees, with 54% reported to be working in development and technical support. This staffing profile reflected the importance of payment infrastructure, integration, customer support and risk technology to its operating model. In 2017, the business entered Asian markets through a partnership with 2C2P and worked with WeChat Pay in London's Camden Market. In 2018, it was authorized as a payment institution by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. SafeCharge became a publicly traded company in 2014 when SafeCharge International began trading on London's AIM market. At the time of its initial public offering, the business reported revenue of $43.18 million and raised $126 million through the offering. The IPO was described in the reference material as the second-largest offering by a main Israeli company going public in 2014. Its public-market period ended after Nuvei announced an agreement in 2019 to acquire the company for $889 million in cash. Nuvei offered $5.55 per SafeCharge share, representing a 25% premium to the London-listed company's share price according to the cited material. The transaction was completed in August 2019, after which SafeCharge was merged into Nuvei and its AIM admission was cancelled. SafeCharge therefore remains a historically significant payments brand and former operating company, but not an independent active brand.
History
SafeCharge was established in 2006 by Teddy Sagi and David Avgi, with the founding activity associated with Israel and early operations in Bulgaria. It developed as a payments infrastructure company rather than a consumer-facing card or wallet brand. Its services covered payment processing, gateway connectivity, support for alternative payment methods and fraud-prevention capabilities. The company expanded its network and regulatory position during the 2010s. In 2013, it received principal membership status for merchant acquiring from Visa and Mastercard Europe. It subsequently became a licensed Mastercard member in 2014 and a Visa member in 2015. These developments allowed SafeCharge to present itself as a more directly connected payments provider for merchants operating across European and international markets. SafeCharge entered the public markets in 2014 through a listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. The company reported revenue of $43.18 million at the time and raised $126 million through its public offering. The offering was described as the second-largest IPO among the main Israeli companies going public during 2014. Its public listing provided capital and visibility as it continued to develop a cross-border payments platform. The company's merchant proposition included connections to more than 300 global and regional alternative payment methods. These included Chinese services such as Alipay and WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, iDEAL, POLi, PayPal and American Express. SafeCharge also maintained a broad geographic office network spanning Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Italy, Austria, China, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Guernsey, Mexico, Singapore and the United States. Before its acquisition it employed more than 400 people, and 54% of employees were reported to work in development and technical support. In 2017, SafeCharge broadened its Asian-market presence through a partnership with 2C2P. It also worked with WeChat Pay in London's Camden Market, illustrating its focus on enabling merchants to accept payment methods associated with particular customer regions. In 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority authorized SafeCharge as a payment institution in the United Kingdom, adding an important regulatory credential to its international operations. Nuvei announced in 2019 that it would acquire SafeCharge for $889 million in cash. The proposed consideration was $5.55 for each SafeCharge share and was described as a 25% premium to the company's London-listed stock price. The acquisition was completed in August 2019. SafeCharge was merged into Nuvei, and its AIM trading admission was cancelled. Because the independent business ceased to operate under its former corporate structure, SafeCharge is classified as defunct in this dossier, although its technology and business activities became part of Nuvei's payments operations. In February 2020, the reference material reported an agreement involving Max, SafeCharge and the acquisition of control of CreditGuard.
- 2019
Acquisition by Nuvei
[1]Nuvei completes its $889 million cash acquisition of SafeCharge, after which the company is merged into Nuvei and leaves AIM.
- 2018
UK payment institution authorization
[1]The UK Financial Conduct Authority authorizes SafeCharge as a payment institution.
- 2017
Asian-market expansion
[1]SafeCharge expands in Asia through a partnership with 2C2P and works with WeChat Pay in London's Camden Market.
- 2015
Visa licensing milestone
[1]SafeCharge becomes licensed as a member of Visa.
- 2014
AIM market listing
[1]SafeCharge International begins trading on London's AIM market and raises $126 million through its public offering.
- 2013
Principal acquiring membership achieved
[1]SafeCharge receives principal membership status for merchant acquiring from Visa and Mastercard Europe.
- 2006
SafeCharge is founded
[1]Teddy Sagi and David Avgi co-found SafeCharge, with operations initially associated with Israel and Bulgaria.
Products and positioning
A technology-led, internationally connected payments provider focused on helping merchants process card transactions, accept regional alternative payment methods and manage payment fraud risk.
Payment processing
SafeCharge payment gateway
SafeCharge's gateway and payment-processing services enabled merchants to connect transaction flows with major card schemes and regional payment methods. The platform was designed for cross-border commerce and supported the operational requirements of merchants accepting payments across multiple markets.
Payment methods
Alternative payment method connectivity
SafeCharge connected merchants with more than 300 global and region-specific payment methods. Examples included Alipay and WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, iDEAL, POLi, PayPal and American Express, helping merchants adapt checkout options to local market preferences.
Payment risk management
Fraud prevention solutions
SafeCharge provided fraud-prevention solutions alongside payment processing. These services were intended to help merchants assess transaction risk and reduce losses associated with fraudulent or otherwise problematic payment activity.
Merchant acquiring · 2013
Merchant acquiring services
Through its Visa and Mastercard relationships and acquiring memberships, SafeCharge offered merchant-acquiring capabilities connected to card payment acceptance. The service supported merchants seeking an integrated route to payment authorization and settlement across European and international markets.
Brand decisions
2019
Accept Nuvei acquisitionM&ABackground
Nuvei proposed acquiring SafeCharge as part of its expansion in electronic payments.
Action taken
Nuvei agreed to pay $889 million in cash, or $5.55 per SafeCharge share, and completed the acquisition in August 2019.
Aftermath
SafeCharge was merged into Nuvei and its admission to trading on London's AIM market was cancelled.
Acquisition value. $889 million cash transaction value (2019)
2017
Expand into Asian payment markets through 2C2PStrategyBackground
SafeCharge sought to broaden its international payment coverage and establish stronger access to Asian markets.
Action taken
The company partnered with 2C2P and also worked with WeChat Pay in London's Camden Market.
Aftermath
The move expanded SafeCharge's documented regional payment connectivity, although the available reference material does not quantify its commercial results.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/safecharge · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled