Revolut to roll out stock trading for US customers

Revolut, the U.K.-based challenger bank with a global footprint, will roll out commission-free stock trading capabilities for U.S. customers in an effort to compete with the likes of Robinhood, Public, and SoFi.

Why should we care?
Revolut reportedly obtained a U.S. broker-dealer license to allow it to offer stock trading. The service will launch in a few months and allow for fractional share purchases and investing spare change from card transactions. “Launching commission-free stock trading is the next logical step in our plans for the U.S. market,” Nik Storonsky, Revolut chief executive and co-founder, said. Like Robinhood, Revolut will earn payment for order flow revenue, an approach that’s generated scrutiny from U.S. regulators. Revolut, which is valued at $33B, is the U.K.’s most valuable fintech. The company is planning for an eventual public listing in either the U.K. or the U.S., or through a dual listing. The company, which has 16 million customers globally, is seeking a U.S. bank charter in California.