Rakuten Viber
“Can a global messaging super app monetize its hundreds of millions of users by embedding a full-featured digital wallet and payment layer directly inside the chat experience?”
Founded2010
HQLuxembourg (Viber Media S.à r.l.)
IndustryHorizontal SaaS / Messaging & Super App
The story
Founded in 2010 as a VoIP and messaging app, Viber was acquired by Rakuten in 2014 and evolved into one of Europe's leading messaging super apps. In 2022, Viber launched Viber Pay via Rapyd, signaling a strategic push into embedded payments within its chat interface. By late 2025, it migrated Viber Pay's infrastructure to Paynetics, extending the offering with Visa virtual cards to over 1 million European users — underscoring a deliberate move to monetize its large user base through financial services layered onto messaging.
Product timeline
2010
Viber founded as a VoIP and messaging app.· pivot
2014
Rakuten acquired Viber for approximately $900M, rebranding it Rakuten Viber.· acquisition
2022
Rakuten Viber partnered with Rapyd to launch Viber Pay, entering in-app digital payments with a mobile wallet and IBAN for cross-border P2P payments.· banking
2024
Viber launched new security solutions for businesses including OTP-based verification messages to authenticate users and reduce fraud.· banking
2025
Viber Pay switched infrastructure provider from Rapyd to Paynetics, adding Visa virtual debit cards across seven European markets (Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Germany).· banking
The stack
Payments / PSP
Banking / BaaS
Card issuing
FX & payouts
Accounting gap: none