Visa Buys BioCatch for $2.4 Billion to Combat AI-Driven Fraud

Visa has agreed to acquire Israeli behavioral biometrics firm BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash, according to an announcement on August 3, 2026. The deal aims to combat rising account takeovers and digital scams before they reach the payment stage.

BioCatch's AI models analyze thousands of real-time signals during digital banking sessions, including keystrokes, touch gestures, device handling, and signs of coercion. It distinguishes legitimate users from fraudsters in milliseconds and protects over 1.8 billion devices and 760 million users. The company serves more than 350 banking clients across 21 countries.

Visa's president of value-added services, Andrew Torre, explained the urgency: 'Account takeovers and scams cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually, and AI is enabling these attacks at unprecedented scale.' BioCatch will help Visa's clients stop fraud before it reaches the point of payment.