bolttech expands device rental model to Spain with MediaMarkt. bolttech has partnered with MediaMarkt Spain to launch Alquílalo España, an electronics rental program offering consumers access to premium devices through flexible, service-inclusive plans. The program allows customers to rent high-end electronics across categories on terms ranging from 12 to 36 months, and up to 48 months for gaming consoles. Plans include a bundled service package covering common damage scenarios such as liquid and screen damage, with predictable monthly costs. Customers can also upgrade devices mid-contract, while returned devices are reintroduced into a circular model to extend their lifecycle. Alquílalo España launched in 11 pilot stores on March 5 and is expected to roll out across all MediaMarkt Spain locations by the end of 2026. The launch builds on bolttech's existing partnership with MediaMarkt in Poland, where the companies already support device lifecycle services, including rental. The Spain expansion signals a broader push to scale lifecycle-based retail models across Europe, aligning with demand for flexible access, affordability, and sustainability while enabling retailers to generate recurring revenue and deepen customer engagement. bolttech operates across 39 markets, connecting insurers, distributors, and customers through digital infrastructure designed to support the distribution of protection and insurance products. Get coverager to your inbox. A really good email covering top news.

Tycoon Richard Li's Bolttech is said in talks to buy MoneyHero. Bolttech Holdings Ltd. is in talks to buy Nasdaq-listed MoneyHero Ltd., people familiar with the matter said, a move that would combine two financial technology firms backed by billionaire Richard Li. Closely held Bolttech is doing due diligence and valuation work for a potential takeover of MoneyHero, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Considerations are ongoing and there's no guarantee they'll lead to a binding agreement, the people said. Bolttech last year raised $147 million in a Series C round from investors including Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. and Portuguese private equity firm Iberis Capital. The funding gave the company a valuation of $2.1 billion. Following earlier losses and restructurings, MoneyHero started to see improving revenues and profitability last year in metrics such as adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. MoneyHero shares closed at $1.37 Tuesday, giving the company a market value of $60 million. Bolttech and MoneyHero are backed by Li's investment firm Pacific Century Group. (Editor's note: Richard Li also holds a 66.45% to 66.5% stake in Hong Kong-based insurer, FWD Group, through Pacific Century). A representative for Bolttech declined to comment, while MoneyHero didn't have an immediate comment. Founded in 2020, Bolttech runs an exchange where insurers, distributors and customers buy and sell insurance and protection products, according to its website. The company has more than 700 distribution partners in 39 markets and handles over $75 billion quoted premiums on an annual basis. Bolttech had considered a US initial public offering about two years ago, people familiar with the matter said at the time. The listing never took place and the company opted to do a private funding round instead. MoneyHero, formerly known as Hyphen Group or CompareAsia Group, is an Asian personal-finance comparison website. In 2023, it agreed to go public in a deal with Bridgetown Holdings Ltd., a blank-check company backed by billionaires Peter Thiel and Li. The merger valued MoneyHero at about $200 million including debt. Bridgetown raised $595 million in a US IPO in 2020. Photograph: Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li; photo credit: Chan Long Hei/Bloomberg Was this article valuable? Interested in mergers? Get automatic alerts for this topic.