Is Wise Safe and Legit? Take a Closer Look

Sending and receiving payments internationally was a daunting task until the inception of Wise. Wise is a global technology company that allows everyone to get international bank accounts digitally without any hassle.

The technology is so good that it makes people question whether Wise is safe. To answer this question, we have curated this detailed blog post on whether the Wise app is safe and legit to use or not.

At the end of the blog post, you will surely come to know whether you should be using Wise for money transfer and receiving money or not.

So, without wasting any time, let’s get started with the blog post.

Is Wise safe?

Yes, Wise is safe to use, and it is 100% legitimate.

We have been personally using Wise for more than 5 years now for sending and receiving payments from various international countries. Wise makes the process of sending and receiving money internationally smooth and quick. But the real question is, is Wise safe?

One of the biggest reasons for Wise’s safety is its regulatory compliance with all the countries to which it offers services, including the FCA in the UK and RBI in India. It follows all the strict rules to protect users’ funds.

In fact, Wise not only keeps users’ funds safe, it also keeps their personal and other important financial data safe and secure. Currently, Wise is being used by millions of customers globally, handling billions in transactions every month. And in such cases, it follows extra precautions to keep up with the safety norms of every country in which it is offering its services.

Millions of users have been using the Wise application safely for years, and they have not yet faced any issues with regard to sending and receiving payments.

Here’s what a Reddit user says about Wise’s safety:

From a technical point of view, Wise safety features include website and web app encryption, two-factor authentication, and a fraud monitoring system, which keeps users’ accounts, money, and all transactions safe and protected.

 Is Wise a legit company?

1. Full name and legal entity

Wise is a 100% legal entity with the name Wise Payments Limited (UK entity) and Parent company name: Wise plc, which is incorporated in England and Wales. 

The company is also listed on the London Stock Exchange as WISE since July 2021 and is considered one of the largest tech IPOs in UK history. 

Since Wise is now a public company and it has to publish its annual accounts, quarterly updates and regulatory filings that anyone can read at companies.gov.uk

2. Founded and history

Wise was founded in the year 2011 in London by Kristo Kaarmann and Taavet Hinrikus, an Estonian-based pair who were frustrated by high international bank transfer fees. 

The company was originally started as TransferWise and later rebranded to Wise in 2021. 

Wise has been operational in business for more than 14 years, which justifies its legitimacy status. A fraudulent company cannot sustain for 14 years under FCA oversight and LSE listing requirements.

3. Scale

The operational scale of Wise is huge. It has 16 million active customers as of FY 26. · £145.2 billion in cross-border volume (FY25) · £1.4 billion in underlying income (FY25). 5000+ employees working across 20+ countries and it is trusted by 17 major banks of the world. 

This scale of operation also proves that Wise is a legit company. 

4. Wise is FCA verified 

Wise is also registered with FCA, which is the financial control authority in UK.

You can visit the FCA website and find more details of Wise, its operation, legal status, and everything. 

5. Public listing

Being a public limited company, Wise is bound to publish its financial accounts, disclose material risks, and operate under the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and UK Listing Authority. A fly-by-night company cannot maintain such records for such a long period of time.

5-point legitimacy and safety check of Wise

1. FCA, FinCEN, and global regulation

Wise has active authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority in UK as an Electronic Money Institution, FinCEN (US, registered as a money service institution), ASIC (Australia), the National Bank of Belgium (EU) and 48 USA state money transmitter licenses.  

Having licenses from all these financial institutions of different countries proves that Wise is 100% legit. All these financial institutions of respective countries follow very strict regulatory compliance and verification checks for each company they give a license. 

You can visit FCA website and search for FRN 900507 and you shall get the complete details about Wise.

2. 14+ years of continuous operation

Wise has operated since 2011. Scam financial companies follow a predictable pattern: launch, take deposits, generate complaints, lose regulatory licences, shut down within 2-3 years of the start of business. 

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You can search for FRN 900507 on the FCA site, which will show authorization status confirmed and active. 

Also, if you search the internet archive, you will find that TransferWise has been operational, up and running since 2011. 

Here’s how the website of TransferWise looked like in 2011. 

3. LSE listing 

Wise Plc is listed on the LSE with ticker WISE in july 2021 with the whopping valuation of $8 billion, making it one of the largest tech listings at the time in the UK. 

I have already mentioned that, as a public company, Wise has to publish its accounts, disclose all material risks to shareholders, follow the UK corporate governance code, and file regular returns. 

You can get more details about Wise at http://wise.com/investors. 

Getting listed at LSE is not an easy task. Every company goes under strict verification and due diligence. A company misappropriating customer funds cannot maintain an LSE listing as auditors, regulators, and institutional shareholders would identify it.

4. Trustpilot ratings 

Wise has an amazing Trustpilot rating with over 250,000 reviews. This is the largest review volume for any international money transfer service on Trustpilot. 

Postive feedbacks from users is related to quick transfers, transparent fees visible before sending, accurate delivery time and a mid-market exchange rate working smoothly. 

An illegal company that takes money and does not deliver cannot maintain such a good Trustpilot account at this volume. 

Of course, there are some negative things that users have highlighted as well, but we will discuss at below. 

5. Safe website 

The website of Wise is 100% safe to use as it is backed with SSL certification, which ensures all the details and personal and financial information of the user remains encrypted till the end.

You can also check it yourself by visiting the SSLabs website.  

Having safe encryption means users and send and receive their money with peace of mind and without the fear of getting scammed. 

Is the Wise application safe?

If you are asking if the Wise app is safe or not, the answer is yes. The Wise application is secure and well protected to offer a seamless mobile experience for sending and receiving money internationally. The application is backed with multiple layers of protection, making it a trusted choice for millions of users globally.

When it comes to Wise app safety and security, the application uses a strong encryption system to protect data and other personal information. First of all, the strong regulation of the Wise app makes it safe.

For example, it is licensed and supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the US, the National Bank of Belgium, and the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority in Europe. By following all the regulatory compliance of the relevant financial authorities, the Wise app justifies its safety.

As a financial app, Wise is also obliged to safeguard its clients’ money in top-tier banks like JPMorgan Chase in the USA and Deutsche Bank in Europe, and other top-rated banks of various countries.

This serves as insurance that the Wise app is not using customers’ money for its own operations.

Apart from all these, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of safety to the Wise app. This measure requires users to enter their password along with an additional code they will get on their registered email or phone number. Users can also get push notifications to allow access to the Wise account.

There is no option to link the Wise app with third-party app authentication, like Google or Microsoft, and get a code from there. So, the Wise app offers ultimate safety, even if users’ passwords are compromised or leaked.

Overall, the Wise app is safe.

Is Wise safe to transfer and send money?

Yes, Wise is safe to send money internationally to any bank account within a few clicks. Currently, there are 80+ countries and 50+ currencies in which you can make payments. In order to send money through Wise, you need to set up your account first and get it verified.

Once your account is verified, you can start sending money online through the website or via the Wise app.

Lots of Wise payments arrive within a few minutes, and 90% arrive within 24 hours, except on bank holidays in the recipient’s country and on weekends.

Also, every payment sent on the Wise platform is protected by HTTPS encryption and two-step verification. Wise also has a team of 1,000+ anti-fraud specialists who monitor the platform day and night to detect any scam, fraud, or suspicious activity.

While Wise is safe to send money, it is also important for you to understand the difference between an EMI and a bank. When you send or receive money via Wise, your money is safeguarded rather than insured.

For example, in the UK, your funds are not covered by the FSCS, which covers up to €85,000 in banks. Instead, Wise protects 100% of your money by keeping it separate and liquid, as noted by Forbes Advisor.

Overall, Wise is safe to send money.

Is Wise safe to receive money?

Yes, Wise is 100% safe and legit to receive money internationally from more than 80+ countries and in over 50+ currencies. We have been receiving payments from our international clients for more than 5 years through Wise, and it has been working like a charm for us.

We have personally found Wise better than PayPal and Payoneer, where scams, account deactivation, and other thefts are common.

Whenever you get funds in your Wise account, you can either keep them or set up an automatic transfer to your local bank account. If you feel keeping money in a Wise account is not safe, then you are wrong.

Wise will keep your money safe by safeguarding it. Whenever you hold funds in Wise, it deposits the money in leading commercial banks or holds it as a secure liquid asset, like government bonds.

In the USA, Wise keeps money safe with leading banks like Goldman Sachs, Chase, and Wells Fargo.

How safe is a Wise account?

Many users might be thinking whether the Wise account is safe to use or not. So, in this section of the blog, we will discuss how safe the Wise account is from the perspective of receiving money.

Two-factor authentication:

The two-factor authentication of the Wise account makes it safe and secure. Unlike other online payment apps that only require login and password details, Wise goes the extra mile to safeguard the accounts of its users.

With two-factor authentication enabled, Wise will only allow you to log in after getting a verification code on your mobile phone via SMS, voice call, or WhatsApp.

So, even if the user’s Wise login credentials are compromised, no transaction or login can be done without getting the verification code on your registered mobile.

Face and fingerprint recognition

Wise’s face and fingerprint recognition are even more secure than two-factor authentication. They add an extra layer of security to your Wise account when you log in.

This feature also allows users to log in to their Wise account without entering the password all the time. With this system, Wise ensures that only you can authorise logins and transactions.

If your device is lost or stolen, this type of biometric authentication makes your Wise account safe and secure.

Authenticator app

Wise supports authenticator app verification to provide an extra layer of account security. By enabling this feature, users must enter a time-based one-time code generated by apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator when logging in or making important changes.

This means that even if someone knows your password, they still cannot access your account without the unique code.

It significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and protects sensitive financial information. Combined with encryption and other security measures, using an authenticator app makes your Wise account much safer and more secure overall.

Safeguarding vs FSCS vs FDIC: the one distinction every Wise user must understand

You must have thought if Wise went bankrupt or bust tomorrow, then what would happen to your money? This a right question to think. 

Every penny you put into Wise is matched by Wise putting the same amount into a different bank account which JP Morgan, Barclays, BNY Mellon. 

Wise accounts use your money to pay salaries, rent or any operational cost. Legally, your money is not with Wise, it is held in trust for you. 

1. What the FSCS covers (and does not cover)

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme, UK, protects the deposits at banks and building societies up to £85,000 per person per institution. It pays within 7 days and is backed by a government-funded levy. It does not cover Electronic money transfer companies like Wise, PayPal or Payoneer.

2. Practical difference

If you are sending a transfer that completes in hours, the distinction is irrelevant; your money passes through Wise and arrives. 

If you are holding a large balance in Wise long-term (treating it like a savings account), the distinction matters: if Wise failed, you would get your money back, but via an administrator rather than FSCS, which takes longer and is not government-guaranteed.

The May 2026 FCA safeguarding overhaul — what changed and what it means for Wise users

1. Overview of news

On August 07, 2025, the FCA published a new policy statement which introduced the most important rules for payment institutions and e-money institutions since the inception of their business. 

The new rules took effect from May 7, 2026 and it covered every FCA-regulated money transfer company like Wise, Revolut, Remitly and WorldRemit.

2. Why did the FCA act? 

The FCA made new rules because it found 12 payment firms which became bankrupt between 2018 and 2023 and had an average shortfall of 65% between funds owed to customers and funds which were actually safeguarded. 

This means, customers who kept their money with those firms did not get all their money back. 

3. What the new rules require? 

As per the new rules, the FCA made it mandatory for stronger segregation of customer funds, mandatory independent audits for firms that are safeguarding over $100000 in customer funds, more granular reporting to the FCA and faster customer fund reconciliation.

4. What this means for Wise users? 

Wise already passed all the safeguarding standards that caused problems at smaller firms. The new rules presented by the FCA focused on upgrading the money safeguarding policy which Wise already had in place. For Wise users, customer fund protection is now subject to independent audit and enhanced FCA oversight. 

5. Does it mean Wise was unsafe?

No, the FCA overhaul highlights the loopholes and failures of smaller and less compliant firms. Wise is a public listed company with FCA authorization and audited accounts, and had strong safeguarding measures already in place. 

Can we transfer large amounts safely with Wise?

Yes, you can transfer large funds with a Wise account or any bank account in the world that is permitted by Wise without any issues. We have been transferring our Wise funds to our Indian bank account without any hassle for more than 5 years now. We have never faced any problem as such.

Since the platform is backed by strong encryption, fraud monitoring, and strict regulatory compliance, it is bound to protect all users’ transactions.

For a large transfer, you need to complete identity verification or provide proof of funds to help transfer your funds more safely.

Even if you keep your funds in a Wise account, they are safe for life, as Wise keeps all the funds in top financial banks. While there are some transfer limits depending on which country you are residing in and in which country you want to transfer the funds, Wise is widely trusted for international transfers.

Overall, Wise is safe for transferring a large amount of funds.

Here are some other reasons that justify that transferring large amounts with a Wise account is 100% safe:

3DS for card payment: Under the 3D security protocol, whenever a user makes a payment via credit card, the user is required to prove their identity by password, code, or PIN to ensure the transaction or amount they are transferring from the Wise account is safe.

SOC 1 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 audit: The system and organization control is a special type of audit for companies that hold, store, and process information of clients and may impact their clients’ financial position.

SOC 1 checks the organization’s financial reporting, and SOC 2 evaluates the security and protection of customer data. While these audits are required, they still prove that Wise is safe for transferring money.

PCI DSS Certification: The implementation of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is mandatory for any company that deals with cardholder data, and thus, Wise also follows it. It is aimed at reducing card payment-related fraud by increasing security protocols.

ISO 27001 certification: Wise is also ISO 27001 certified, which makes it safer and more secure. This certification ensures that the company is following good practices for the operation of an information security management system.

Is it safe to keep money in a Wise bank?

Yes, it is 100% safe to keep money in a Wise account. But one needs to understand that Wise works differently from a regular traditional bank. One of the main reasons behind the safety of the Wise bank account is its safeguarding.

This means your money will be kept separately in a different bank account or stored in secure assets like government bonds.

This will make sure that your money is still available when the company faces any issues.

You can keep the money in your Wise bank account as long as you want, or you can set up an automatic transfer to get the money from your Wise account to your personal bank account in your country.

Another factor that proves that keeping money in a Wise bank account is safe is global regulation. Wise follows the guidelines and financial rules of all the countries in which it is offering its services. It also uses encryption, fraud monitoring, and a secure system to keep data safe.

However, it is important to note that Wise does not act or work as a traditional bank, so it does not offer traditional deposit insurance like some banks do. Instead, it relies on safeguarding users’ money.

Is a Wise loan safe?

No, Wise does not offer any loan or finance credit lending facility. It is a common point of confusion among many users who think Wise offers loan and payday services. Wise is a global fintech company that focuses on the international transfer of money from one account to another. It charges a certain commission for this service but does not offer loan or payday services.

Is Wise safer than PayPal?

The short answer to the question is yes, Wise is safer than PayPal. Wise is safer and more secure than PayPal and also easy to use.

Consumer protection: Wise offers better protection than PayPal. If any merchant fails to resolve the issue, Wise will allow you to raise a dispute through the Wise app or website.

However, it is important to note that Wise does not offer buyer protection like PayPal, which means if you buy anything online and make a payment via Wise, and if the order does not arrive, Wise does not have an obligation to refund your money or raise a dispute like PayPal.

Although Wise is safer than PayPal, make sure you only use it to pay people or businesses you trust.

PayPal is the winner here.

Fund safety: Your money is safer with Wise because it works like a bank rather than a digital wallet like PayPal. Wise is required by law to safeguard your money.

They don’t lend your money as traditional banks do. Instead, they keep all the customers’ money in the safest banks in the world or invest it in liquid assets like bonds or FD in a different bank account.

PayPal works as a digital wallet and is always at risk of freezing a customer’s account. If PayPal finds that a customer is not adhering to its policy, it will freeze the account and permanently ban it, and all the funds that are kept in PayPal’s account will be frozen for 6 months.

Wise is the winner in terms of fund safety 🙂

Technical security: In terms of technical and account-level security, Wise is better than PayPal. Wise has two-factor authentication, biometric login, and a fraud monitoring system, which makes the account complete and 100% safe.

PayPal also offers two-factor authentication, but it lacks biometric login, which is the only drawback.

Wise is the winner in terms of technical security 🙂

Customer support: For customer support, Wise is the clear winner as it offers live chat support, call support, and email-based support to all its customers. PayPal does not have any kind of customer support.

In fact, it is the worst in terms of customer support, as PayPal does not want its users to reach out to it for any queries, issues, or doubts.

Also, the dispute resolution process is slow and daunting, and it is biased and always gives judgment in favour of the buyer.

Wise is the winner in terms of better customer support 🙂

Is Wise safer than Payoneer?

1. Real Exchange Rates vs. Hidden Markups

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google) and charges a single, upfront fee. Payoneer often includes a “currency spread” or markup (up to 3%), which can feel like a hidden cost. For safety-conscious users, Wise’s “what you see is what you get” model reduces the risk of unexpected financial loss.

2. Strict Safeguarding Protocols

As an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Wise is legally required to safeguard 100% of user funds in separate, high-security accounts at major banks (like JPMorgan Chase or Barclays). While Payoneer also follows regulations, Wise’s public reporting and transparency regarding where it holds user cash are industry-leading.

3. Lower Risk of Account Freezes

Payoneer is famous for its “marketplace” focus (Amazon, Upwork). While convenient, users frequently report sudden account freezes or “compliance holds” without clear explanations. Wise’s verification process is famously rigorous at the start, which often leads to a smoother, more predictable experience once you are onboarded.

The Verdict: Wise is generally seen as the more secure choice for direct client transfers and personal use due to its transparent fee structure and heavy regulation by the FCA and FinCEN.

FAQs: Is Wise Safe?