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Fintech / Startup BankingFounded 2017·San Francisco, CA

Mercury

The startup-banking platform that hit a $5.2B valuation and says it doesn't plan to raise again.

Updated August 26, 2026 · Analysis by Trace Cohen · mercury.com

Valuation
~$5.2B

Series D, May 2026

~$5.2B
Valuation

Series D, May 2026

$200M
Series D

led by TCV, May 2026

$156B
Annual transaction volume

+64% YoY, per company data

200,000+
Customers

as of Nov 2025

Valuation: ~$5.2B

Set by a $200M Series D in May 2026, led by TCV with Sequoia, a16z, and Coatue participating — up 49% from the $3.5B mark Mercury set just 14 months earlier in its March 2025 Series C. Mercury is privately held; founder/CEO Immad Akhund has said he doesn't plan to raise again.

How Mercury makes money

Mercury offers free business banking (accounts, ACH, debit and credit cards, dashboard) built on FDIC-insured partner banks (including Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust), and makes money on the back end: interchange fees on card spend, interest earned on customer deposits (roughly $20B in deposits generating yield), and FX/international wire fees.

On top of banking, Mercury sells paid software tiers (roughly $35–$350/month) for finance workflow automation — bill pay, treasury, and expense tools — the same 'banking plus software' cross-sell playbook Brex pioneered, aimed at the same startup and small-business customer base.

Funding

Mercury has raised roughly $346M+ through its Series C (March 2025, $300M at a $3.5B valuation, led by Sequoia with Spark, Marathon, Coatue, CRV, and a16z), then a $200M Series D in May 2026 led by TCV at a ~$5.2B valuation. Founder Immad Akhund has publicly said he does not plan to raise another round.

Competitive landscape

Brex

The closest direct rival for VC-backed startup banking — now a Capital One subsidiary.

Ramp

Corporate cards and spend management encroaching on Mercury's banking customers.

Arc / Relay

Smaller startup-banking challengers competing on the same underwriting model.

Chase / traditional banks

Legacy business banking Mercury was built to replace for startups.

TC

Trace's Take

Trace Cohen · early-stage VC

Mercury going from $3.5B to $5.2B in 14 months while its closest comp, Brex, got sold off to Capital One at a discount is the clearest signal in fintech right now: banking-as-software for startups still works when a company keeps its underwriting discipline and doesn't over-expand upmarket. Akhund saying he doesn't plan to raise again is a statement of confidence — Mercury is generating real yield on $20B+ in deposits, which is a far more durable moat than venture cash. Watch whether it can keep growing transaction volume as rate cuts compress the deposit-interest line that's been propping up fintech-bank economics industry-wide.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mercury's valuation in 2026?+

Mercury was valued at approximately $5.2 billion in a $200 million Series D round in May 2026, led by TCV — up 49% from the $3.5 billion valuation it set just 14 months earlier in its March 2025 Series C.

How does Mercury make money?+

Mercury offers free core banking and makes money on interchange fees from card transactions, interest earned on customer deposits (roughly $20 billion), FX/wire fees, and paid software subscriptions ($35–$350/month) for finance workflow tools.

Is Mercury a bank?+

No — Mercury is a fintech company, not a chartered bank. It offers FDIC-insured accounts through partner banks, including Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust.

Is Mercury going to IPO?+

Mercury has not announced IPO plans. Founder and CEO Immad Akhund has said he doesn't plan to raise another private round after the May 2026 Series D, but the company hasn't signaled a public-listing timeline.

Related

Mercury vs Brex in 2026→
Mercury vs Brex vs Arc vs Relay→
Best Startup Banking 2026→
Company profiles→

Latest Mercury coverage

Best Startup Banking in 2026: Mercury, Brex, Relay, Bluevine, and Arc ComparedAugust 20, 2026Mercury vs Brex — Startup Bank ComparisonAugust 10, 2026The Best Startup Banks in 2026: Mercury, Brex, Meow, Rho, Arc, and Relay RankedMay 2026

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Sources

  • CNBC — Fintech Mercury hits $5.2B valuation, up 49% in 14 months
  • Businesswire — Mercury Announces $300M Series C at $3.5B Valuation
  • Mercury — Series D announcement
  • Sacra — Mercury revenue, valuation & funding

Analysis by Trace Cohen · @Trace_Cohen · t@nyvp.com. Figures are as of the update date; verify before relying on them.