Dlocal Announces Strategic Push Into Asian Markets With Hiring and Expansion Plans

DLocal Ltd, a global payments platform operating in more than 40 countries, is prioritizing its expansion into Asia in 2026. CEO Pedro Arnt confirmed the company will commit more resources to sales, operational capabilities, and hiring for the region. He described the move as a strategic multi-year project.

The goal is to increase Asia's share of Dlocal's total payment volume (TPV) from single digits to at least 30% in the next three to five years. The focus will be on high-growth markets like Vietnam and Thailand, following the company's strong presence in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Dlocal plans to strengthen its local presence by hiring dozens of employees, including a senior executive to lead the Asia business. Arnt said interviews for this role are already underway, with an announcement expected in the first half of 2026.

Why Did This Move Happen?

Asia's highly fragmented payments landscape creates opportunities for Dlocal to offer its B2B solutions to existing clients across the region. Arnt emphasized that the shift is driven by growing demand for cross-border payment infrastructure and the need to serve global merchants in emerging markets.

The company still derives about 80% of its revenue from Latin America, where it operates in 17 countries. However, it is also assessing potential opportunities in Venezuela, despite ongoing U.S. interventions there. Arnt noted that Dlocal is monitoring local demand and regulatory changes before making any decisions.

Dlocal's shares have performed strongly in recent months, surging 71% since April 2025 when InvestingPro flagged the stock as undervalued. The stock closed at $14.14 on 2026-01-15, reflecting investor confidence in the company's strategic direction.

Analysts have generally viewed the stock positively, with eight of ten ratings classified as 'buy' or 'equal weight'. The recent performance has validated the investment thesis of a growing B2B payments platform with scalable infrastructure and expertise in complex emerging markets.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Investors and analysts are now focusing on whether Dlocal's Asia expansion will generate meaningful revenue growth. The company has not yet announced plans for acquisitions in the region but expects to finalize the acquisition of AZA Finance in 2026.

Dlocal's ability to scale its TPV in Asia will be a key performance indicator. If it meets its 30% TPV target, it could signal a major shift in the company's geographic balance and growth trajectory.

Dlocal is also refining its buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) offering in 2026, which could open new revenue streams. Arnt said the company might disclose the take rate and scale of this business later in the year, depending on its performance.

The company's recent financial performance supports its expansion plans. In the latest quarter, Dlocal reported sales of $282.48 million and net income of $51.83 million. The trailing twelve months (TTM) net profit margin is 17.8%, and return on investment (ROI) stands at 35.56%.

Dlocal's stock valuation has continued to rise despite market volatility. After falling in February and March 2025, it rebounded strongly in May and August, with a cumulative gain of 71% since April 2025.

Investors are also watching how Dlocal manages risk in volatile markets like Argentina, where it has taken steps to protect against currency and rate swings. Arnt said the company is tightening risk management around the peso due to macroeconomic fragilities in the region.

The strategic push into Asia is part of Dlocal's broader goal to become a global payments leader in emerging markets. With its focus on operational expansion, hiring, and client demand, the company is positioning itself to capture a growing share of Asia's fragmented and fast-evolving payments industry.