Digital conglomerate Gen set to purchase MoneyLion in billion-dollar transaction
Gen Digital, the cybersecurity giant formerly known as NortonLifeLock, has announced its intention to acquire fintech platform MoneyLion in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1 billion[1]. The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of Gen's fiscal year 2026, subject to regulatory and MoneyLion shareholders' approvals, marks a strategic shift for Gen, extending its portfolio to include financial wellness tools[1].
MoneyLion, an AI-powered fintech platform offering a consumer finance app, embedded finance, and media services to 18 million customers, will bring its financial empowerment and wellness resources to Gen's existing credit and identity protection solutions, enriching the product ecosystem for consumers[1].
The acquisition will combine MoneyLion's fintech products with Gen's robust identity and cybersecurity solutions, creating a significantly larger $50 billion addressable market opportunity spanning both sectors[2]. Gen will pay $82 per share in cash at closing[1].
Gen CEO Vincent Pilette stated that the acquisition of MoneyLion will help people protect and grow their financial wealth[1]. The transaction will more than double Gen's addressable market, and MoneyLion's personal financial management tools and embedded financial marketplaces will be brought to Gen's users.
The rationale behind the deal may include the ability to cross-sell MoneyLion's products to Gen's 500 million subscribers and target higher-income consumers[1]. MoneyLion shareholders will receive a contingent value right at closing, potentially entitling them to Gen common stock if certain share price conditions are met.
Oppenheimer analysts believe MoneyLion differentiates itself through its two-sided consumer finance ecosystem and potential for product innovation[1]. In the third quarter, MoneyLion generated $135 million in revenue and reported a net loss of $2.8 million.
Recently, MoneyLion announced a partnership with EY US, aiming to leverage its embedded marketplace infrastructure to serve smaller and mid-sized financial institutions[4]. However, it is implied that Gen may purchase licensing rights to MoneyLion's technology or fintech offerings.
Gen Digital, now serving customers in 150 countries, merged with Avast in September 2022[5]. The company cannot comment beyond the materials posted on its investor relations site until the deal is closed, and MoneyLion did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The acquisition is expected to close between the second and third quarter of 2025, with little risk of regulatory issues[1]. The move effectively broadens Gen’s market from purely cybersecurity and identity protection into a combined cyber safety and financial wellness market, creating a larger market opportunity.
[1] Gen Digital Press Release, 2025 [2] Oppenheimer Research Report, 2025 [3] Gen Digital Q1 2026 Earnings Report [4] MoneyLion Press Release, February 2025 [5] Gen Digital Merger with Avast Press Release, September 2022
- The acquisition of fintech platform MoneyLion by Gen Digital, a cybersecurity giant, is a strategic move to extend their business portfolio, offering financial wellness tools and enriching their product ecosystem for consumers.
- By combining MoneyLion's fintech products with Gen's robust identity and cybersecurity solutions, a larger addressable market opportunity spanning both sectors will be created, potentially worth $50 billion.
- The integration of MoneyLion's personal financial management tools and embedded financial marketplaces into Gen's services will allow the company to target higher-income consumers and cross-sell MoneyLion's products to their 500 million subscribers.
