MercadoLibre deserves its premium to Sea because it has become a financial institution with a marketplace attached. Mercado Pago's off-platform volume now exceeds on-platform, and Brazilian payment-institution status lets it hold balances, lend and earn net interest margin, while Sea relies on volatile Garena gaming profits to fund Shopee. MELI earns 20% ROIC with eleven straight quarters of positive free cash flow. Risks are loans outgrowing revenue with flat provisions, reinvestment and fuel. x.comÂ