Imagine a world where your late-night pizza order doesn’t just arrive at your door but also ties into a sprawling digital economy powered by cryptocurrency. That vision might be closer than you think. A massive €4.1 billion acquisition has just rocked the food delivery and tech investment space, sparking whispers of what’s next for blockchain and business. South Africa’s Prosus, a heavyweight in global tech, has swooped in to buy Just Eat Takeaway.com, a company once riding high during the pandemic but now looking for a new lease on life.
A Game-Changing Deal in the Digital Age
The news dropped like a bombshell: Prosus, already a major player in food delivery through stakes in Delivery Hero and others, forked over €4.1 billion in cash to claim Just Eat Takeaway.com. This isn’t just a business headline—it’s a signal of where the fusion of tech, finance, and everyday services might be headed. With cryptocurrency steadily infiltrating mainstream industries, this deal could be a stepping stone to something bigger.
The Rise and Fall of Just Eat Takeaway.com
Just Eat Takeaway.com was a darling of the pandemic era. As lockdowns kept people indoors, its valuation soared, peaking above €100 per share in 2020. The merger of Britain’s Just Eat and Dutch Takeaway.com seemed like a masterstroke back then, creating a giant poised to dominate Europe’s food delivery scene.
But the good times didn’t last. Post-pandemic, the company stumbled with costly missteps—like the $7.3 billion purchase of GrubHub, only to sell it for a fraction of that price years later. Its exit from the London Stock Exchange in December 2024 was another blow. Now, Prosus steps in, offering €20.30 per share—a 22% premium over recent highs, yet a shadow of its former glory.
Prosus: The Tech Titan with a Vision
Prosus isn’t your average investor. Owned by Naspers, a South African conglomerate, it’s built a reputation for spotting winners early—think its 2001 investment in Tencent, now a global tech titan. Today, Prosus holds stakes in food delivery giants worldwide, from India’s Swiggy to China’s Meituan. Its latest move? Snagging Just Eat to bolster its European footprint.
“This acquisition gives us the opportunity to create a European tech champion,”
– Fabricio Bloisi, Prosus CEO
Bloisi’s words hint at ambition beyond just food delivery. Prosus has a knack for weaving tech innovation into its portfolio, and its success with Brazil’s iFood—where AI transformed operations—suggests Just Eat could be next in line for a digital overhaul.
Cryptocurrency: The Hidden Player?
Here’s where things get intriguing. Food delivery might seem far removed from cryptocurrency, but the lines are blurring. Prosus has the resources and vision to integrate cutting-edge tech into its acquisitions. Could blockchain payments or crypto rewards for orders be on the horizon? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.
Take iFood as a clue. Prosus revolutionized its operations with AI, boosting efficiency and profits. If it applies similar innovation to Just Eat—say, tokenized loyalty programs or decentralized payment systems—it could redefine how we interact with delivery services.
Why This Matters for Crypto Enthusiasts
For crypto fans, this deal isn’t just about burgers and fries—it’s about adoption. Imagine ordering takeout with Bitcoin or earning Ethereum-based rewards for every meal. Big players like Prosus could bridge the gap between traditional businesses and the blockchain world, making crypto a household name.
- Mass Reach: Just Eat operates in the UK, Germany, and beyond—millions of potential crypto users.
- Tech Backbone: Prosus’s AI expertise could extend to blockchain integration.
- Market Timing: With crypto gaining traction, now’s the moment to experiment.
The numbers back this up. Just Eat’s core markets are profitable and growing, giving Prosus a solid base to test bold ideas. If successful, this could inspire other industries to follow suit.
A Look at the Numbers
Let’s break it down. The €4.1 billion price tag might sound steep, but it’s a bargain compared to Just Eat’s pandemic peak. Prosus is betting on a rebound—and possibly more.
| Metric | Pre-Deal | Post-Deal Potential |
| Share Price | €16.60 (3-month high) | €20.30 (deal value) |
| Valuation | Declining post-2020 | €4.1 billion |
| Growth | Stagnant | AI + Crypto Boost? |
This table shows the shift. Prosus isn’t just buying a company—it’s buying potential. And with its track record, that potential could include crypto-driven growth.
The Bigger Picture: Tech Meets Everyday Life
This acquisition isn’t happening in a vacuum. The tech world is racing to blend digital finance with daily routines. From Starbucks trialing NFT loyalty programs to PayPal embracing crypto payments, the trend is clear. Prosus could position Just Eat as a pioneer in this shift.
Think about it: a seamless app where you pay with stablecoins, earn tokenized rewards, and track it all on a blockchain. It’s not sci-fi—it’s the next logical step for a company with Prosus’s resources.
Challenges Ahead
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Just Eat’s recent struggles—overpaying for GrubHub, delisting from London—show the risks of bold moves. Integrating crypto isn’t cheap or easy, either. Regulatory hurdles, user adoption, and tech costs could slow things down.
Yet Prosus has faced bigger challenges. Its Tencent bet paid off despite early skepticism. If anyone can pull this off, it’s them.
What’s Next?
The deal’s done, but the story’s just beginning. Will Prosus turn Just Eat into a crypto-powered juggernaut? Or will it stick to safer bets like AI and efficiency? One thing’s certain: this move has everyone watching.
For now, crypto enthusiasts should keep an eye on this space. A food delivery giant dabbling in blockchain could be the spark that lights up mainstream adoption. And who knows—your next takeout might just come with a side of digital currency.
Fun Fact: Prosus’s parent company, Naspers, turned a $32 million investment in Tencent into a stake worth over $100 billion today. Talk about vision!
The possibilities are endless, and the stakes are high. This €4.1 billion gamble could reshape how we think about food, tech, and money itself.
