User:Carlos Trevisan/Stone

Stone is a Brazilian fintech specializing in payment methods through its multibrand acquiring services, using card machines and processors of credit, debit and voucher card transactions. It has been operating in the market since 2014, covering the entire Brazilian territory. In 2018, it carried out its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NASDAQ). Stone is an integral part of the Stone Co. holding, which has other payment ecosystem companies in Brazil.

History
The founders of the company were motivated by the breaking of the double monopoly related to the exclusivity of credit card machines in Brazil, regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil, the Constitution and Justice Commission of the Senate, and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). The company started its operations in 2014. In the two years prior to 2014, it prepared for entry into the market through the acquisition of licenses with payment flags, such as Visa and Mastercard.

In 2015, Stone expanded its commercial headquarters to São Paulo and increased its operations throughout Brazilian territory.

In 2016, Stone acquired 100% of Elavon do Brasil, a payment processor that had been operating in Brazil since 2011 and was the fourth largest acquirer in the payment processing market. At the time, Elavon had about 2% of the payment processing market, which was incorporated into Stone's customer base in 2016. The two companies continued as independent brands until mid-2018, and after that, Stone assumed full control of the operation.

In 2017, Stone acquired the capture of a fund of 1 billion reais referring to the sale of receivables to a credit rights investment fund, ensuring the anticipation of receivables in transactions made by the merchant without the intermediary of a banking lock.

In October 2018, the company filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on the American stock exchange, NASDAQ.

In May 2020, the company laid off 1,300 employees in Brazil during the COVID-19 crisis.

In August 2020, the company made a purchase offer of R$ 6.4 billion and acquired Software House Linx.

In 2021, the company acquired 98% of the education management software company Sponte for R$ 200 million.

IPO
On October 25, 2018, Stone went public on the American stock exchange NASDAQ, raising a total capital amount above the indicative range of US$ 1.22 billion, starting its shares at a price of US$ 24.00 and closing up 30%, being quoted at US$ 31.35. On the eve of the IPO, Stone released a statement informing about a data leak.

The IPO had the participation of major international investors such as Warren Buffett, through his investment holding company Berkshire Hathaway, and Ant Financial from the Chinese Alibaba.

Ton
With a focus on MEIs and small businesses, Stone launched Ton in early 2020, a company focused on payment solutions for individuals and small businesses, allowing the purchase of the card reader and offering competitive rates. As an innovation, Ton also launched Tap Ton in August 2020, a payment solution without a card reader, using only the mobile phone's contactless payment technology (NFC), through its mobile application, allowing the phone to become a card reader. As a growth strategy, in addition to aggressive rates, Ton bets on the "Renda Extra" referral program, which rewards those who refer their solutions.