Inside Revolut’s $100B Strategy: Building the World’s First Global Digital Bank

Revolut’s Next Chapter: An Everything Bank for Everyone.

Revolut’s growth over the past nine years is admittedly extraordinary. With 50 million customers across 38 markets, the company is leading in the neobanking space and has become a benchmark in neobanking in the developed markets.

Now, CEO Nik Storonsky has set another audacious goal: to transform Revolut into the first digital-only global bank in 100 countries, serving 100 million customers, and generating $100 billion in revenue. At Money2020 in Amsterdam, I asked David Triado about Revolut`s target customer base, and he responded ` Everyone`. Now the vision is An Everything Bank for Everyone.

However achieving this vision raises critical questions about Revolut’s ability to change its business culture. While its startup mentality has propelled rapid growth, the company now faces its biggest challenge: how to achieve operational excellence while expanding geographically and scaling sustainably. To become a true universal bank, Revolut must transition from a disruptor mindset to a mature, disciplined institution.

Let’s explore some key highlights around the leadership mindset shaping Revolut`s path in this expansionary phase.

1. Nik Storonsky’s Reflections on Regulation

“For a long time, I wanted to be as less regulated as possible; it was the completely wrong decision,” Nik admitted while discussing Revolut’s upcoming U.S. launch. This candid reflection marks a significant shift in his leadership philosophy. Early in its journey, Revolut thrived by operating on the fringes of regulation, leveraging its agility to outpace traditional banks.

However, as Revolut expands into highly regulated markets like the U.S., embracing compliance has become non-negotiable. This evolution reflects the company’s growing maturity and recognition that long-term success requires building trust with regulators and customers alike.

Will Nik walk this talk? Time will tell.

2. Revolut`s continious Radical Take on Growth Metrics

Antoine Le Nel, Revolut’s Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, offers a contrarian perspective on growth: “There’s no CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) discussion at Revolut; we only talk about ROI. If you focus on CAC, you’ll acquire the worst cohorts. If I gave CAC targets, we’d only do TikTok.”

This philosophy seems to imply that Revolut is not only about quantity but is focused on acquiring high-value customers rather than chasing vanity metrics or low-cost acquisition channels.

Will Revolut execute on this? Time will tell.

3. Revolut`s Culture of High Performance

Revolut’s culture is famously intense. Nik once said, “We are not about long hours — we are about getting sh*t done.” This ethos has fueled the company’s ability to move from idea to execution at lightning speed, often launching new products within weeks. However, this relentless pace comes with challenges.

Again can Revolut do well in keeping and retaining Talent? Time will tell.

4. Can Revolut Become a Universal Bank?

Nik envisions Revolut as more than just a fintech disruptor — it aims to become a universal bank offering comprehensive financial services like retail banking, investment banking, and insurance across global markets. But can it truly achieve this transformation?

Universal banks like JPMorgan Chase or HSBC succeed by combining operational excellence with diversified business models and strong regulatory relationships. For Revolut to join their ranks, it must address several critical gaps:

- Strengthening compliance frameworks to navigate regulatory complexities.

- Building robust internal processes that can scale across geographies.

- Invest in customer support and service quality to foster trust.

The TOP Question: Operational Excellence at Scale

For all its achievements, the biggest challenge for Nik Storonsky is how to bake operational excellence into Revolut’s DNA .

Currently, operational excellence remains at a mediocre level for Revolut:

- Customer support has faced criticism for being inconsistent across markets.

- Regulatory hurdles have delayed key launches.

- Scaling operations across 38 markets has exposed inefficiencies in localization and compliance.

To achieve its universal banking ambitions, Nik must elevate operational discipline alongside innovation. Maybe it is time, Nik spoke to Jamie Dimon 😉.

Leadership Lessons from Jamie Dimon

As Nik charts Revolut’s path forward, there’s much he can learn from Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase — one of the longest-serving Banking leaders who has successfully scaled one of the world’s largest banks while navigating crises and maintaining long-term success.

· Long-Term Thinking Over Speed

Dimon emphasizes balancing ambition with pragmatism. While Nik’s rapid execution has been a strength, Revolut’s long-term success will depend on thoughtful planning — especially in navigating regulatory environments and scaling operations sustainably.

· Operational Resilience

Dimon champions robust decision-making frameworks and operational discipline. For Nik, this means formalizing processes that ensure scalability without sacrificing quality or compliance.

· Loyal Leadership: Revolut’s People Future

Dimon invests heavily in developing future leaders within JPMorgan. As Revolut matures, Nik must focus on building a leadership pipeline to ensure continuity and avoid over-reliance on his direct involvement.

Revolut’s culture is intense and demanding — a hallmark of its startup roots. Dimon leads to foster loyalty among employees by treating them fairly and focusing on well-being. As Revolut grows, integrating empathy into leadership could reduce burnout risks and improve retention. Instead of focusing on the growth of the Revolut Mafia, Nik needs to retain talent and grow a loyal leadership pipeline for Revolut. Now is the time.

Final Thought: Revolut’s Unique Opportunity to Become a Blueprint for Universal Banking

Despite these challenges, Revolut is uniquely positioned:

- Its tech-first approach allows it to innovate faster than traditional banks.

- A global customer base gives it insights into diverse financial needs.

- The ability to scale digital products across markets provides cost efficiencies that traditional banks struggle to achieve.

However, achieving this vision will require balancing ambition with execution. Operational excellence is no longer optional — it’s essential. And changing leadership style is paramount.

Time will tell if Revolut & Nik can deliver during this next phase.

If Nik sees Jamie Dimon’s JPMorgan Chase as a blueprint for universal banking success, he’ll need to adopt some key principles:

- Diversify revenue streams across retail banking, investment banking, payments, and more.

- Build strong regulatory relationships based on trust and transparency.

- Foster an organizational culture that combines innovation with resilience.

Revolut is no longer just a fintech disruptor; it’s an aspiring global leader in financial services. To achieve this vision, Nik must evolve his leadership style and prioritize operational excellence alongside innovation.