eBay secured UK antitrust approval for its $1.2B purchase of Depop from Etsy, knocking out a final obstacle to closing. CMA approval came at Phase 1, weeks ahead of an August 6 deadline, sparing the deal a longer Phase 2 probe that could have forced concessions or blocked it. eBay struck the deal in February to push into secondhand fashion and win younger shoppers, and Depop will keep its own brand and standalone app. Clearance follows approvals in Australia, the US, and Germany, cutting eBay’s exposure to termination and disruption fees that could have topped $226M if the deal had failed after July. eBay still doesn’t expect Depop to lift its income until at least 2028, keeping the deal under scrutiny as GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen pursues a takeover of eBay.
