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Revolut Targets $40B Valuation

Fintech company Revolut is targeting a $40 billion valuation in a move that could boost its value by 20%. The London-based startup wants to sell shares to cement its status as Europe’s most valuable startup. 

KEY FACTS 

  • The SoftBank-backed company wants to sell existing shares worth about $500 million, including those owned by employees, the Financial Times wrote.
  • The bank is working with Morgan Stanley on the sale.

ACCENT

The news comes amid challenges Revolut is trying to address. First of all, the startup is struggling to get a banking license, and it also reported some losses. The entire fintech sector has suffered defeats in the last two years. Stockholm-based Klarna, another prominent fintech, has sunk to $6.7 billion from a $46 billion fundraising in 2022. Since then, some venture capital investors have reduced their stakes in Revolut.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Revolut is still trying to get a banking license, which is key for the fintech company to increase lending and profits. However, regulators delayed their decision after Revolut was rocked by problems, including a warning from auditors that they could not fully verify the revenue figures in the 2021 accounts.

The company suffered a loss in its latest delayed report for 2022 as the boom in cryptocurrency trading that previously boosted profits waned. Meanwhile, rising costs offset the benefits of larger customer deposits and higher interest rates.

BIG NUMBER

In 2021, the company was valued at $33 billion in a funding round. The stock transaction could now fetch a significantly higher valuation of $40 billion. That would surpass the market capitalization of British lender NatWest and Paris-based Société Générale.

KEY STORY 

Revolut was founded by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko in 2015. Since then, it has significantly outpaced its competitors in terms of customer growth and aggressive international expansion. Revolut has around 40 million customers worldwide, with a third based in the UK. 

In 2021, it raised $800 million from investors including SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 and Tiger Global Management.

Competition Authority Launches Comprehensive Review of ExxonMobil Cyprus Acquisition

Investigation Initiated Over Strategic Acquisition

The Competition Protection Authority has commenced a thorough investigation into the acquisition of ExxonMobil Cyprus Limited’s share capital by Petrolina Holdings Public Ltd through Med Energywise Ltd. This inquiry was formally initiated following a session held on 10 September 2025, after an in-depth review of the pertinent report by the Authority’s Service.

Concerns Over Market Compatibility

Authorities have expressed serious concerns regarding the compatibility of the transaction with established competitive practices. The review indicates that the acquisition may affect several critical petroleum markets, both horizontally and vertically, thereby raising the potential for adverse impacts on market dynamics.

Horizontal Market Dynamics

On the horizontal front, potential effects have been identified in the import market for petroleum products, as well as in both wholesale and retail distribution channels of these products. The consolidation is believed to increase the risk of price rises and coordinated actions, given the direct competitive proximity between Petrolina and ExxonMobil.

Vertical and Adjacent Market Implications

Vertical aspects of the merger are also under close scrutiny. The new entity could restrict competitors’ access to critical infrastructure such as storage facilities, supply channels, and customer bases. These restrictions could further affect the onshore distribution of fuels, the wholesale market for lubricants, and specialized technical services connected with fuel station operations.

Local Market Considerations

Particular attention is being paid to the potential concentration in the retail fuel market. The investigation suggests that a reduced competitive landscape within a four-kilometer radius of the companies’ fuel stations could lead to diminished local competition, adversely impacting consumer prices and options.

Next Steps and Industry Impact

The Competition Protection Authority, which reached a unanimous decision to pursue a full investigation, remains open to submissions from parties that might be affected by this transaction, as mandated by current legislation. A final decision is expected within four months upon receipt of all necessary evidence, potentially setting a significant precedent for future market consolidation cases in the energy sector.

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