The London-based fintech eyes purchase of FUPS as expansion strategy accelerates.
In the meantime, it has also been looking toward Israel, Argentina, and China.
Nikolay Storonsky, Founder and CEO, Revolut (Source: Wikimedia)
Revolut is
negotiating the acquisition of FUPS, a Turkish digital bank, as the fintech
looks to enter the country's rapidly evolving banking market. The talks
represent the latest step in Revolut's ongoing push to expand its global
footprint. However, no final agreement has been reached and the discussions could
still fall apart, according to people familiar with the matter quoted by
Bloomberg.
Any
transaction would need approval from Turkey's Banking Regulation and
Supervision Agency, known locally as BDDK.
Revolut Pursues 100
Million Users Across Global Markets
Revolut,
led by billionaire Nik Storonsky, has built a user base approaching 70 million
customers worldwide. The company closed a
funding round in November at a $75 billion valuation, a 67 percent jump from its $45
billion valuation the previous year, as it posted revenue gains and attracted
investment from Nvidia's venture arm.
The fintech
has been aggressively targeting new markets in recent months, from the Nordics
to Mexico. Revolut has pitched
expansion plans for China to investors, outlining strategies for hiring, licensing,
and scoping opportunities in the country.
Turkish Banks Digitize but
Still Rely on Physical Presence
Traditional
banks in the country have invested heavily in digital services, with the number
of active digital banking customers increasing to more than 120 million. Major
players like Garanti BBVA have integrated artificial intelligence and data
analytics to enhance customer service.
However,
these incumbents still maintain extensive branch networks, a dependency that
could give purely digital players an edge.
Tomasz Noetzel, Senior Industry Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
Turkey's
Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency launched digital banking regulations
in 2022, formally opening the door for neobanks. The regulator has granted
digital banking licenses to five institutions: Hayat Katılım, Kasa Katılım,
T.O.M. Katılım, FUPS Bank, and Ziraat Dinamik.
FUPS Operates With Minimal
Staff After 2022 Launch
FUPS
received its banking license in 2022 with founding capital of 1.5 billion
liras, worth just over $81 million at the time. The bank was established by
Lydians Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri, which operates as both a payment
service provider and electronic money institution. As of September 2025, FUPS
employed 60 people, according to data from the Turkish Banks Association.
Turkey's
digital banking market was valued at $101.52 million in 2025 and is projected
to grow to $267.3 million by 2034, expanding at an 11.36 percent compound
annual growth rate. The country's 80.7 million active cellular mobile
connections provide a substantial market for mobile banking applications.
Revolut is
negotiating the acquisition of FUPS, a Turkish digital bank, as the fintech
looks to enter the country's rapidly evolving banking market. The talks
represent the latest step in Revolut's ongoing push to expand its global
footprint. However, no final agreement has been reached and the discussions could
still fall apart, according to people familiar with the matter quoted by
Bloomberg.
Any
transaction would need approval from Turkey's Banking Regulation and
Supervision Agency, known locally as BDDK.
Revolut Pursues 100
Million Users Across Global Markets
Revolut,
led by billionaire Nik Storonsky, has built a user base approaching 70 million
customers worldwide. The company closed a
funding round in November at a $75 billion valuation, a 67 percent jump from its $45
billion valuation the previous year, as it posted revenue gains and attracted
investment from Nvidia's venture arm.
The fintech
has been aggressively targeting new markets in recent months, from the Nordics
to Mexico. Revolut has pitched
expansion plans for China to investors, outlining strategies for hiring, licensing,
and scoping opportunities in the country.
Turkish Banks Digitize but
Still Rely on Physical Presence
Traditional
banks in the country have invested heavily in digital services, with the number
of active digital banking customers increasing to more than 120 million. Major
players like Garanti BBVA have integrated artificial intelligence and data
analytics to enhance customer service.
However,
these incumbents still maintain extensive branch networks, a dependency that
could give purely digital players an edge.
Tomasz Noetzel, Senior Industry Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
Turkey's
Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency launched digital banking regulations
in 2022, formally opening the door for neobanks. The regulator has granted
digital banking licenses to five institutions: Hayat Katılım, Kasa Katılım,
T.O.M. Katılım, FUPS Bank, and Ziraat Dinamik.
FUPS Operates With Minimal
Staff After 2022 Launch
FUPS
received its banking license in 2022 with founding capital of 1.5 billion
liras, worth just over $81 million at the time. The bank was established by
Lydians Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri, which operates as both a payment
service provider and electronic money institution. As of September 2025, FUPS
employed 60 people, according to data from the Turkish Banks Association.
Turkey's
digital banking market was valued at $101.52 million in 2025 and is projected
to grow to $267.3 million by 2034, expanding at an 11.36 percent compound
annual growth rate. The country's 80.7 million active cellular mobile
connections provide a substantial market for mobile banking applications.
Damian Chmiel is a Senior Analyst & Editor at Finance Magnates with more than 15 years of experience in the CFD and online trading industry. Active as both a trader and journalist since 2010, he focuses on broker coverage, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
His work includes interviews with C-level leaders at major brokerages and fintech platforms, as well as co-authoring Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry benchmarking reports. Damian’s reporting is data-driven, market-aware, and grounded in direct industry engagement. His analysis and commentary have also been cited by external media outlets, including Investing.com, Binance, The Asset, Stockhead, and Dispatch.
Education:
MA in Finance and Accounting, Cracow University of Economics
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