Stream.money
- Founded
- 2018-01-01 in London, UK
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Stream, formerly known as Wagestream, is a UK-headquartered fintech company that provides a workplace financial wellbeing platform integrating earned wage access, savings, budgeting, affordable credit, and pension services. Founded in 2018, the company pioneered earned wage access as a low-fee alternative to payday lending, enabling workers to access wages they have already accrued. The platform is embedded into employer benefits packages and now supports over 2,000 brands and four million workers across the UK, Europe, and the US. Stream has raised $228 million in total funding, most recently a $90 million Series D led by Sofina in January 2025. The company is regulated as a Virtual Asset Service Provider in the EU and a Money Services Business in Canada, with US EWA services provided by Stream Platforms, Inc. (NMLS #2547041). It has saved members over $200 million on financial services premiums.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Stream launched in 2018 with an earned wage access product, originally under the name Wagestream. The company was founded in London, UK, with a mission to provide workers with flexible access to their earned pay as a lower-cost alternative to payday loans and high-interest credit. The rebrand to Stream occurred in September 2025, reflecting the company’s expansion from a single-product EWA provider into a comprehensive financial wellbeing platform.
Business Model
Stream operates on a B2B2C model: it sells its platform to employers, who then offer the app to their workers as a voluntary benefit. The company generates revenue primarily through flat fees on earned wage access transactions, rather than interest or hidden charges. Employers may also pay for the service as part of their benefits package. This model positions Stream as a mission-driven alternative to predatory lending, reducing financial stress for employees and potentially boosting productivity for businesses.
Core Products and Platforms
The platform offers five key products: - Earned Wage Access: On-demand access to accrued wages for a low, flat fee. - Save: A high-yield savings account with FDIC insurance (up to $250,000) and a variable APY of 5.13% as of October 2025, provided in partnership with Piermont Bank. - Budgeting Tools: In-app features to plan, track, and manage personal finances. - Affordable Credit: Low-cost loan options accessed through employer partnerships. - Pensions (Find & Combine): A pension location and consolidation service launched after the July 2025 acquisition of Zippen, targeting the estimated £31.1 billion in unclaimed UK pension assets.
Market Position and Competitors
Stream is a leading player in the workplace financial wellbeing space, competing with other earned wage access and financial wellness providers such as DailyPay, Earnin, and Even. Its differentiation lies in its multi-product approach, licensed status in multiple jurisdictions, and strong employer partnerships with brands like New Balance, Hilton, and Dollar General.
Regulatory and Licensing Footprint
Stream holds licenses as a Virtual Asset Service Provider in the EU and a registered Money Services Business in Canada. In the US, Stream Platforms, Inc. is a licensed financial technology company (NMLS #2547041) but is not a bank; banking services are provided by Piermont Bank. The parent entity, Stream Platforms Ltd, is registered in England and Wales and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Recent News and Strategic Direction
In January 2025, Stream raised $90 million in Series D funding led by Sofina, with participation from existing investors including Balderton, Northzone, Smash Capital, Local Globe, and Better Society Capital. The funds are intended to drive US expansion and explore a future IPO. The company’s acquisition of Zippen in July 2025 added a pension find-and-combine service, marking a move into retirement savings.
Key Products
Budget Tools
In-app budgeting features that help workers track spending, set savings goals, and gain financial insights.
Workplace Loans
Affordable personal loans offered through Stream Financial Services Ltd (UK), starting at 0% APR for the first month.
Stream App
Mobile app (iOS/Android) acting as the single interface for all products, integrating with employer payroll systems.
Earned Wage Access (Flex)
Allows workers to access up to 50% of already-earned wages before payday for a fixed low fee (e.g., $2.50 per withdrawal in US).
Save Account
FDIC-insured savings account (via Piermont Bank) with high-yield APY (5.13% as of Oct 2025). Minimum $5 to open.
Find & Combine Pensions
Launched in 2025 via the acquisition of Zippen; helps UK workers locate lost pension pots and consolidate them.
Earned Wage Access (EWA)
Flexible access to earned wages before payday for a low flat fee.
Save
FDIC-insured high-yield savings account (5.13% APY) via Piermont Bank.
Budget
In-app budgeting and expense tracking tools.
Borrow
Affordable workplace loans and credit products (FCA-regulated).
Pensions (Find and Combine)
Locate and consolidate lost UK pensions, powered by post-acquisition Zippen technology.
Invest
Execution-only pension and investment services through Stream Asset Management Ltd.
Earned Wage Access
On-demand access to accrued wages for a low, flat fee, designed as a low-cost alternative to payday lending.
Budgeting Tools
In-app features that allow users to plan spending, track expenses, and manage personal finances.
Affordable Credit
Low-cost loan options accessed through employer partnerships, providing workers with affordable credit alternatives.
Pensions (Find & Combine)
A pension location and consolidation service launched after the July 2025 acquisition of Zippen, helping users recover lost pension assets.
Key Persons
Peter BriffettCo-founder & CEO