What happened to Wirecard now?

What happened to Wirecard now?

Wirecard, a German fintech firm founded in 1999, which initially offered payment processing services to online merchants. Over time, the company expanded its business model to include issuing payment cards and providing digital payment solutions. As a result, becoming one of Europe’s leading fintech firms. However, Wirecard’s rapid expansion and growth were not without controversy, and the company’s downfall was a spectacular one. In this essay, we will explore the full history of Wirecard, from its founding to its bankruptcy.

Founded in Munich, Germany in 1999 by Markus Braun and four other entrepreneurs. The company began by providing payment processing services to online merchants. And quickly expanded its operations across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Wirecard’s innovative technology and its ability to process payments quickly and securely made it a popular choice for online merchants.

In 2005, Wirecard was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s Prime Standard, and the company continued to grow rapidly, acquiring other payment processing companies and expanding into new markets. By 2018, Wirecard was valued at over €20 billion and was widely considered one of Europe’s most successful fintech firms.

However, in 2019, Wirecard’s fortunes began to change. Moreover, the Financial Times published a series of articles alleging accounting irregularities at the company, which led to a sharp decline in Wirecard’s share price. Wirecard denied the allegations, and Braun accused the Financial Times of being part of a conspiracy to damage the company’s reputation.

In 2020, Wirecard’s troubles deepened when the company revealed that €1.9 billion was missing from its accounts. Wirecard claimed that the funds became held in a trust account in the Philippines. However, the account later found to became non-existent. Wirecard’s auditor, Ernst & Young, heavily criticized for failing to detect the accounting irregularities. And the German financial regulator, BaFin, also came under fire for its handling of the case.

As the scandal deepened, Braun became arrested and charged with fraud and market manipulation. Wirecard filed for insolvency in June 2020. And the company’s shares became delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The scandal had a significant impact on the German financial system, with many investors losing money and sparking calls for greater regulation of the fintech sector.

In conclusion, Wirecard’s history is a cautionary tale of the dangers of rapid expansion and the importance of effective regulation and oversight. Wirecard was once one of Europe’s leading fintech firms, but its downfall was swift and spectacular, resulting in the largest accounting fraud in German corporate history. Furthermore, the scandal exposed weaknesses in the German financial system and raised questions about the role of auditors and regulators in ensuring the integrity of the financial markets. Additionally, the legacy of Wirecard’s collapse will become felt for years to come. Moreover, serving as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the fintech sector.

What happened to Wirecard now?

1. “Investmentbank Merrill Lynch macht sich “Sorgen um die Wettbewerbsposition von Wirecard””. Business Insider. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
2.  “Wirecard-Chef Braun wehrt sich gegen Kritiker” [Wirecard boss Braun defends himself against critics]. Der Aktionär (in German). Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
3. “Stocks to watch: IAG, Apple, Wirecard, Veolia, Indivior, BAE, ING”. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021.
4. “BofA on #Wirecard: “recent restatements reduce our confidence in controls surrounding financial reporting”… “there could be 40 pct downside to EBITDA if pricing were to normalize towards levels seen at peers””.
5. “‘They tried to destroy me’: Wirecard’s reluctant whistleblower tells his story”. Archived moreover, from the original on 20 May 2021.
6. “Lessons for corporate Germany in the rise and fall of Wirecard”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
7. “SoftBank’s $1 Billion Investment in Wirecard Came With a Twist – No SoftBank Cash”. The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.

High Speed Rail Europe : What is the future of High Speed Rail in Europe?

1. “Critics’ ire turns on auditor EY after Wirecard collapse”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
2. “SoftBank plans to sue EY over Wirecard scandal”. Der Spiegel. Reuters. 26 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
3. “Wirecard’s creditors set for battle over missing billions”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
4. “EY prepares for backlash over Wirecard scandal”. Financial Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
5. “Wirecard Scandal a ‘Complete Disaster,’ Says Germany’s Bafin”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
6.  “Germany to sever ties with accounting watchdog after Wirecard scandal”. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
7.  “Wirecard: the scandal spreads to German politics”.  Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
8. “Wirecard scandal raises need for common EU market rules”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
9.  “Wirecard proves Europe needs a single financial markets supervisor”.  Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
10. “German parliament to open full inquiry into Wirecard collapse”.  Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.