2 incredible Banking FinTech stories that were transforming the world of financial technology (11/2024)

Nubank has reached a significant milestone, acquiring 100 million customers in Brazil, representing over half of the countrys adult population. The company’s rapid growth highlights a shift in banking preferences, particularly among younger generations. Meanwhile, Revolut has expanded its crypto exchange across 30 European markets, offering low trading fees and advanced tools, marking a major step in its strategy to integrate traditional finance with cryptocurrency services. Both companies are reshaping financial landscapes in their respective regions.

Nubank

Nubank, the digital banking giant in Brazil, reached a historic milestone of 100 million customers, representing over half of the country’s adult population. From its early days as a credit card company, Nubank has expanded rapidly by offering services such as savings accounts, loans, and crypto offerings. This growth aligns with broader trends in digital-first banking, with the company also experiencing success in neighboring Latin American markets like Mexico and Colombia. Nubank’s expansion is particularly significant given its swift pace—over one million new customers monthly—and its strong financials, which include over $1 billion in net profits and more than $8 billion in revenue in 2023. The company’s digital-first model has proven successful, with its recent transition into a broader digital services platform that extends beyond banking. It highlights the increasing demand for seamless, integrated services, especially among younger generations that are shifting away from traditional banks. Nubank’s growth suggests that digital banking in Latin America is just beginning, with significant opportunities in underdeveloped markets.

Revolut

Revolut, the London-based financial services company, expanded its crypto exchange across the European Economic Area (EEA), offering a platform for trading over 200 digital tokens. This strategic move positions Revolut as a major player in European crypto trading, especially as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) legislation creates a favorable regulatory framework for digital assets in Europe. Revolut’s crypto platform, Revolut X, is designed to cater to both retail customers and experienced traders. It offers competitive pricing, including zero fees for limit orders and a low 0.09% fee for market orders, as well as advanced trading tools integrated with TradingView. This move is significant as it reflects the growing trend of traditional financial institutions integrating cryptocurrency services into their offerings, which could lead to increased competition with dedicated crypto exchanges. Revolut’s strategy goes beyond trading: it plans to expand its crypto ecosystem, including launching its own stablecoin and exploring crypto payment solutions for everyday transactions.

Conclusion

Nubank and Revolut’s moves underscore a shift in both banking and crypto sectors, with traditional financial models adapting to meet the demands of the digital age. Nubank’s dominance in Latin American digital banking is a testament to the region’s evolving financial landscape, while Revolut’s expansion in the crypto space highlights the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance. These developments show the continued transformation of the global financial ecosystem, driven by technological innovation and shifting consumer preferences.

About ECEBiS

At ECEBiS you are going to understand what will change the trajectory of the financial industry. You will develop a transversal view on the forces that are shaping the future financial industry.

From payments and lending to investment and money management, tech providers are actively shaping the future of the financial landscape - even pushing the boundaries of currency itself. You might evaluate the impact of robo-advising on health management and examine portfolio recommendations from a diversified set of RAs and attempt to identify the factors behind proposed splits between asset classes.

ECEBiS is a platform in academic research on new business models and innovative products. We investigate in fast moving sectors that are reshaping the financial world of tomorrow and pioneering new ways of doing business. We want to attract outstanding ECEBiS students in finance with experiences and exposures, who intend to

Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Finance (online, 3 years part-time)
  • develop knowledge on challenges that shape the future of financial industry

  • engage with a program that offers the convenience of online learning with the benefits of accreditation and global reach.

  • raise awareness on the importance of fintech and sustainability in finance

  • identify the best practices in the financial industry to spread positive changes

  • Go beyond the virtual classroom and network with other ambitious executives and entrepreneurs as you expand your credibility and expertise in the world’s most transformative fields.