Revolut seeks US banking licence to expand services
Revolut has applied for a US banking licence to deepen its presence in the market.
- Fintech firm Revolut has filed an application with the OCC for a US banking charter.
- The licence would grant access to Fedwire and ACH, enabling products such as credit cards and personal loans.
- The $75b-valued company views the US as a strategically critical market for growth.
Revolut, one of Europe’s largest fintechs with a valuation reported around $75b, has applied to the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a banking licence.
If approved, the charter would give the company direct access to core payment rails including Fedwire and ACH, allowing it to offer a broader array of services such as credit cards, personal loans and expanded deposit products. Until now, Revolut has operated in the US via partnerships and a more limited permissions set, which constrained the speed and scope of its product rollout compared with its European footprint.
The application underscores how intensely the firm views the US as a key strategic market, even as competition from incumbents and other neobanks remains fierce. A banking licence would not only improve Revolut’s economics by reducing reliance on third-party intermediaries, it would also give regulators clearer oversight of its balance sheet, risk management and compliance programs. For users, the result could be a tighter integration of fiat, card, savings and crypto functionality—areas where Revolut has sought to differentiate itself by offering exposure to assets like BTC alongside more traditional services.
Fintech, crypto and regulatory convergence
Revolut’s move comes as the boundaries between fintech, traditional banking and crypto services continue to blur. Many digital-first institutions already provide some combination of crypto trading, stablecoin access and on-chain transfers, often in partnership with exchanges such as Coinbase or through their own limited offerings. Securing a full banking licence would position Revolut to more deeply embed these services within a regulated framework, potentially easing concerns for both users and policymakers about the safety and soundness of hybrid platforms.
For US regulators, granting or denying the application will send an important signal about how open the system is to globally active, crypto-friendly fintechs seeking full bank status. The decision will likely take into account not only Revolut’s financial strength and compliance track record, but also broader debates about innovation, competition and consumer protection. As regulatory regimes like MiCA shape expectations in Europe, a US banking licence could help Revolut harmonize its oversight environment across major markets, giving it a stronger base from which to compete with both incumbent banks and emerging digital challengers.
