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Revolut To Take On Amex With Launch Of Points-based Credit Cards

Revolut is setting its sights on a new battleground — the lucrative world of rewards credit cards — in a direct challenge to giants like American Express and Barclaycard. The UK-based fintech, now with over 50 million users worldwide, is quietly working on a suite of credit cards powered by its proprietary RevPoints system.

According to insiders familiar with the project, the upcoming cards will be tailored to Revolut’s various subscription tiers, offering users a fresh way to rack up and spend rewards. It marks another ambitious step in Revolut’s rapid expansion beyond digital banking — a strategy that already includes trading, crypto, insurance, and soon, mortgages and private banking.

Cracking The Loyalty Game

Revolut introduced RevPoints last July, letting users earn points on debit card purchases. So far, points can be redeemed for gift cards from big names like Apple and Amazon, or converted 1:1 into airline miles. But with a new credit card in play, Revolut appears ready to scale that system into a full-fledged loyalty ecosystem.

The move brings Revolut into an arena long dominated by legacy players. American Express and Barclaycard rule the rewards space in the UK with established ecosystems like Amex points and Avios. Fintech disruption here has been slower than in other areas — Yonder, one of the few challengers, has just 30,000 users and focuses on perks with local businesses rather than flight deals.

Revolut’s global reach and brand recognition give it an edge in taking this challenge mainstream. The key question now: is how it will differentiate in a crowded, loyalty-heavy market.

What’s Next For The Superapp

The credit card is just one piece of a bigger puzzle. In January, Sifted revealed that Revolut is developing a premium private banking service aimed at high-net-worth individuals, complete with investment tools and personalized wealth advice. Also in the pipeline: an AI-powered money assistant and a mortgage offering, both expected to launch later this year.

With its reward card ambitions, Revolut isn’t just adding another product — it’s signaling a broader intention to rival traditional banks on every front, including where they’ve historically held the advantage: customer loyalty.

ECB Flags Risks Linked To High-Valuation Technology Stocks

Overview Of The Analysis

An analysis published by the European Central Bank (ECB) examines the factors influencing investor exposure to highly valued equity markets, particularly in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors. Prepared by ECB economists Paolo Alberto Baudino, Federica Bosio, Daniel Dieckelmann, Christoph Kaufmann and Maria Leonor Puga, the study forms part of the institution’s latest financial stability review.

Rising Valuations And Shifting Investor Exposure

According to the report, equity valuations remain elevated, particularly among technology and AI-related companies. Over the past decade, euro area investors have increased their exposure to these markets. While overall equity holdings have doubled during that period, investments in U.S. equities have increased fourfold, supported by rising valuations and continued capital inflows.

Monetary Policy And Geopolitical Influences

Investment funds remain the largest holders of equities in the euro area and have significant exposure to U.S. stocks. ECB researchers found that these funds are particularly responsive to changes in macroeconomic conditions and investor sentiment. Interest rate cuts introduced in the United States from late 2024 supported capital flows into equity markets, while geopolitical uncertainty and weaker risk appetite weighed on investor confidence.

Risk Exposure And Economic Implications

The report also highlights the sensitivity of U.S. technology stocks to changes in monetary policy and economic conditions. A shift in expectations surrounding artificial intelligence adoption or future productivity gains could lead to lower valuations and broader market adjustments, according to the ECB. Such developments could affect investment funds with concentrated exposure to highly valued technology stocks and increase the risk of market volatility.

Policy Considerations And Future Outlook

Growing household participation in financial markets has increased the importance of monitoring these developments. Exposure now extends beyond direct share ownership through investment products such as pension funds and unit-linked insurance schemes. Continued monitoring of capital flows and valuation trends remains important for assessing potential risks to financial stability and the broader economy, the ECB said.

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