Key takeaways
- For a company that bills and pays only in fiat, Airwallex is usually the better fit, with local accounts in 20+ currencies, cards and integrations. Moving makes sense when stablecoins become part of how you're paid or how you pay.
- As of October 2026, Airwallex can't receive stablecoins; its documented stablecoin feature is USDC payouts on Ethereum, in early access.
- Many companies add Align rather than leave: keep Airwallex for cards and spend, and move the stablecoin side and the currencies Align covers.
- Whatever you move, run both accounts in parallel, announce new details safely, and download your records before closing anything.
The short answer
If your company bills and pays only in fiat, Airwallex is usually the better fit: as of October 2026 it offers local accounts in 20+ currencies, Visa cards, spend management and integrations. Moving makes sense when stablecoins are part of the business, because Airwallex can't receive them: its documented stablecoin feature is USDC payouts on Ethereum, in early access.
Many companies don't leave at all. They keep Airwallex for cards and spend and add Align for the stablecoin side and for named USD, EUR, GBP and AED account details. Either way, move one flow at a time, run both accounts in parallel, and close nothing until the last payment has arrived.
What to move, and what to keep
Move to Align, or add it, for:
- customers who pay you in USDC or USDT, and suppliers you pay from a stablecoin balance
- named USD, EUR, GBP and AED account details in your company's name, with money received held as USDC or USDT, or as EURC for euros
- a treasury held in stablecoins rather than in fiat balances
Keep on Airwallex:
- company cards, expense management and accounting integrations, which Align doesn't offer
- receiving in currencies beyond Align's four
The Align vs Airwallex comparison and Airwallex alternatives set out the details.
Before you switch: open the new account
Apply with your company documents: certificate of incorporation, articles, a register of shareholders and directors, proof of address, ID for everyone who owns 25% or more, and evidence of your source of funds. The KYB documents guide has the full list. The review takes 1 to 5 business days once everything is in. If US customers pay you by ACH or wire, request US account details early: Align's US banking partner reviews that access separately.
Move one flow at a time
Switching everything at once is how payments go missing. Pick the flow with the clearest gain, usually the customers who pay in stablecoins or the suppliers you pay from them, and move it first. When it's running, move the next. Keep a short list of which customers and suppliers use which account.
Tell customers your new details safely
New bank details in an email are the classic invoice fraud, so make yours easy to verify:
- send them from an address customers already know, and repeat them on your invoices
- attach an account confirmation letter: AlignPay produces one for each account, naming your company as the holder
- invite customers to confirm by phone on a number they already have
- give your exact legal name, so their bank's Verification of Payee or Confirmation of Payee check shows a match
Close accounts only when they're quiet
If you do close Airwallex accounts, wait until nothing has arrived in them for a few weeks, download every statement and export your accountant needs, cancel cards and integrations tied to them, and move the balance first.
How Align compares
| Airwallex, as of October 2026 | Align | |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts | Local accounts in 20+ currencies | Named USD, EUR, GBP and AED details |
| Stablecoins | Can't receive; USDC payouts on Ethereum in early access | Receive USDC, USDT and EURC; send USDC and USDT to wallets |
| Cards and spend management | Yes | Not offered |
| AED accounts | Companies outside the UAE | Companies outside the UAE |
| Pricing | Published plans | Quoted on request |
Sources
- Airwallex, Global Accounts (October 2026)
- Airwallex Docs, Stablecoin wallet payouts and USDC on Ethereum (October 2026)
- Airwallex, Corporate cards and Software integrations (October 2026)
- Align, Align vs Airwallex and Documents you need to open a business account
Common questions
- Should I close Airwallex if I open Align?
- Often not. Align has no cards, expense management or accounting integrations, so companies that use those keep Airwallex for them and use Align for stablecoins and for named USD, EUR, GBP and AED account details.
- Can I receive USDC or USDT into Airwallex?
- As of October 2026, no. Airwallex's documented stablecoin feature is USDC payouts on Ethereum, in early access through its API. With Align, money received is held as USDC or USDT, or as EURC for euros.
- Can a UAE company switch to Align for AED?
- No. Like Airwallex, Align offers AED accounts only to companies outside the UAE, and it doesn't onboard companies based there.
- How long does switching take?
- Align's review takes 1 to 5 business days once your documents are complete, and USD ACH and wire access has a second review by Align's US banking partner. Plan on about a month to move customers and suppliers.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources linked above and take advice on your own situation.