Revolut Eyes French Fintech Crown With €1B Expansion and Bitcoin Lightning Push

Key Takeaways

• Revolut will invest €1 billion over the next three years to expand in France, its largest EU market.
• The firm plans to apply for a local banking license and double its user base to 10 million by 2026.
• Revolut is rolling out Bitcoin Lightning Network support via Lightspark to enable faster, cheaper BTC payments in Europe.

As global fintech players scramble to gain ground in Europe, British fintech giant Revolut is placing a bold bet on France, not just as a key market but also as a launchpad for its next growth phase.

With a billion-euro investment plan, crypto integrations, and a bid for a local banking license, the London-based company is signaling its intent to play a bigger role in traditional finance and the digital assets industry.

Revolut Commits €1B to French Expansion, Eyes Banking License

Revolut is doubling down on its presence in Europe with a €1 billion investment plan focused on France, which is already its largest EU market with 5 million users.

Announced at President Emmanuel Macron’s “Choose France” summit at Versailles, the three-year expansion plan includes opening a new Paris office for Western Europe and creating at least 200 new jobs.

The fintech firm will also apply for a full French banking license, allowing it to offer a broader range of financial services locally.

Revolut, which has over 55 million users worldwide and no physical branches, received its long-awaited U.K. banking license in 2024.

It currently operates in France under a license from Lithuania’s central bank, which will remain a key European hub.

The company aims to double its French user base to 10 million by 2026 and reach 20 million by 2030. It already offers crypto trading, loans, and stock investments in the country.

Globally, Revolut has ten banking applications pending, including a recent prepaid license in India, and is preparing to launch services in Mexico.

However, its leadership has criticized U.K. regulators and hinted at a possible public listing in New York instead of London.

Bitcoin Lightning Network Integration Goes Live

The French expansion came just days after Revolut announced it was integrating the Bitcoin Lightning Network through a new partnership with Lightspark.

The partnership will enable faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions for users in the U.K. and parts of the European Economic Area.

Lightning, Bitcoin’s primary Layer 2 network, addresses key limitations of the base chain, particularly high fees and slow confirmation times, making it more viable for everyday use.

Lightspark’s technology, called MoneyGrid, connects users across more than 140 countries with near-instant settlement and reduced costs.

Founded by former Meta executive David Marcus in 2022, Lightspark is backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Paradigm.

With this integration, Revolut joins a growing list of major fintechs adopting the Lightning Network. Coinbase began using it in April 2024 and now routes about 15% of its BTC payments through Lightning.

Other adopters include Kraken, Bitfinex, Bitstamp, and OKEx.