ApideckTape
← Embedded Finance Index 2026

Barzahlen

“Can the largest bank-independent cash-in/cash-out rail in Europe stay strategically relevant as an embedded infrastructure layer inside banking apps as cash usage declines?”

Founded2011
HQBerlin, Germany
FoundersAchim Bonsch, Florian Swoboda, Sebastian Seifert
Latest roundSeries Unknown, 2016 (€5.37M from GRENKE)
IndustryInfrastructure / Payments
The story

Founded in 2011 as Barzahlen to bridge cash and digital commerce via barcode-based deposits/withdrawals at retail checkouts. Rebranded internationally as viacash while retaining the Barzahlen brand in DACH. Operating entity viafintech GmbH is now part of the Paysafe Group, with Grenke Bank AG providing the underlying payment service in Germany, Austria, Greece, and Spain, and Hypothekarbank Lenzburg in Switzerland (via SBB retail).

Last 12 months
—
Product timeline
2011
Founded in Berlin as Barzahlen — barcode-based cash payment infrastructure at retail checkouts.· banking
2015
Strategic investment from Rewe Group, one of Germany's largest retailers, expanding partner network.· banking
2016
€5.37M investment from Grenke; Grenke Bank AG becomes payment service provider in DE/AT/GR/ES.· banking
2022
Operating as viafintech GmbH under the Paysafe Group (per privacy notice).· acquisition
The stack
2 layers disclosed in Barzahlen’s embedded-finance stack
Payments / PSP
viacash (self-operated)Grenke Bank AGHypothekarbank Lenzburg AG
Sponsor bank
in the full report
Accounting gap: none
2 more providers across 1 layer, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.