NICE has been rumoured to seek a buyer for Actimize, one of its largest business units specialising in financial-fraud prevention.
Sources indicate that investment banks Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are allegedly involved in managing the process, with an expected price range of USD 1.5 billion and 2 billion. NICE acquired Actimize in 2007 for USD 280 million, and the unit develops financial-risk management products including anti-money laundering tools, fraud-detection systems, and regulatory-compliance solutions. In 2009, Actimize was formally organised as a division and rebranded as NICE Actimize.
The potential sale follows NICE’s recent USD 955 million acquisition of German AI startup Cognigy, which strengthens the company’s cloud-based CRM and AI-driven customer-service platforms. With cash on hand of roughly USD 667 million at the end of Q3 2025, NICE may need additional financing to complete the Cognigy transaction. It is alleged that management now views Actimize as increasingly peripheral to NICE’s core focus on cloud technologies and AI automation in customer service.
Strategic focus on cloud and AI
The Cognigy acquisition supports automation of customer-service operations, reducing reliance on human support staff and improving scalability. Actimize, while profitable, is less aligned with this strategic direction. Analysts suggest that selling Actimize could provide capital to fund further AI investments and signal a clear commitment to cloud-focused solutions.
The competitive environment surrounding cloud-based CRM and customer-service automation has intensified rapidly. Microsoft’s entry into the CRM arena through the integration of Copilot AI within Dynamics 365 has reshaped industry expectations. By embedding generative AI into sales, service, and workflow tools, Microsoft is positioning its CRM suite as a tightly integrated extension of its broader enterprise ecosystem. This expansion places direct pressure on companies like NICE, whose cloud platforms must not only differentiate on AI performance but also compete against a vendor with this level of enterprise penetration.
Alongside these large players, a fast-growing cohort of startups is disrupting the lower end of the market with lightweight, low-cost AI tools designed to automate customer-support functions without the complexity of full enterprise suites. These startups appeal particularly to small and mid-sized businesses, offering rapid deployment and pricing models far below traditional enterprise software.
At the same time, financial crime prevention remains a growing market. Cyber threats, fraud, and regulatory pressures are increasing the demand for sophisticated monitoring tools. The cloud and AI technology driving NICE’s CRM solutions could potentially integrate with compliance tools, creating new cross-segment opportunities even as Actimize becomes a separate entity.
