Stripe has agreed to acquire AI marketplace OpenRouter, marking another major step in the payments company’s growing focus on artificial intelligence.
The companies did not disclose the value of the deal. However, a source familiar with the matter said the transaction is worth slightly more than $8 billion. The deal comes as rising AI costs push businesses to explore cheaper models and tools that can route and optimise token usage.
OpenRouter allows developers and businesses to send queries to dozens of AI models through a single interface. This has made the platform a popular testing ground for new AI systems.
“Tokens are the central currency for companies building with AI, and it’s clear that the real-world economic potential will depend on making good use of scarce compute resources,” Stripe CEO Patrick Collison said.
Stripe declined to comment on the purchase price, while OpenRouter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Founded in 2023, OpenRouter processes more than 10 trillion tokens per day across more than 400 AI models. Its community includes over 10 million developers and companies.
A Deloitte report released in March found that most surveyed companies with annual revenue of at least $500 million expect to consume more than 10 billion tokens per month by 2028.
OpenRouter has raised funding from investors including Menlo Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. In May, it raised $113 million in a funding round led by CapitalG, Alphabet’s independent growth fund.
Stripe was valued at $159 billion in a tender offer earlier this year. The company has also made a joint offer with private equity firm Advent International to acquire PayPal for more than $53 billion, according to a report last month.
Businesses using Stripe generated $1.9 trillion in total volume last year, a 34% increase from 2024.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.