Dutch payment firm Adyen experienced a significant setback as sales dropped, resulting in a $20 billion loss in market value.

Adyen, renowned for consistent 26% revenue growth since its 2018 stock market debut, now faces challenges from competitors offering cheaper alternatives in local markets, particularly in North America.

When Adyen entered the Amsterdam stock exchange in 2018, it rode high on the wave of Europe’s tech sector growth and successfully competed with its major US rival, PayPal.

Despite a turbulent ride, including pandemic-induced travel restrictions, Adyen expanded vigorously in North America and hired hundreds of employees for growth acceleration.

However, the macroeconomic shift in 2023 posed a substantial challenge to Adyen’s growth strategy.

The company’s shares plummeted by 39%, wiping out €18 billion ($20 billion) from its market capitalization, as it reported its slowest-ever revenue growth.

Following this drastic decline, the stock continued to drop by an additional 2.9% on Friday.

Adyen, identified among the top 200 global fintech companies, provides payment services for clients like Netflix, Meta, and Spotify, along with in-store and online payment solutions.

The company, co-founded by Pieter van der Does and Arnout Schuijff has historically been regarded as a growth stock with a consistent revenue growth track record.

The recent underwhelming performance reveals a sharp contrast, as Adyen’s revenue for the first half of the year totaled €739.1 million, marking a 21% year-over-year increase but the slowest sales growth on record.
Analysts had expected higher revenue figures and a 40% year-on-year growth rate.

A notable factor contributing to Ayden’s struggles is its customer dependency on its platform for all payment needs. The company needs to persuade users that its offerings are superior to competitors’.

Adyen’s profitability suffered from aggressive hiring expansion, resulting in a 10% EBITDA decrease from the previous year.

Despite these challenges, the company maintains its commitment to value-based pricing and differentiation from peers.

However, the competition’s ability to offer lower rates presents a significant challenge. As Adyen navigates these headwinds, experts highlight that its growth is still commendable, especially considering the broader economic environment.