# Nikolay (Nik) Storonsky

> Nikolay 'Nik' Storonsky is the British co-founder and CEO of Revolut and founder of the systematic venture firm QuantumLight. A physics-trained former derivatives trader, he turned frustration with foreign-exchange fees into a digital finance company that reported 68.3 million retail customers, $6.0 billion in 2025 revenue and $2.3 billion in profit before tax; by 2026 Revolut said its customer base had passed 80 million. His story is defined by quantified ambition, fast product expansion and the unresolved tension between startup velocity and the obligations of a regulated global bank.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Revolut; Founder at QuantumLight
- **Organizations:** Revolut, QuantumLight, Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers
- **From:** Dolgoprudny, Russia
- **Nationality:** British
- **Education:** Master's degree in general and applied physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Master's degree in applied economics and finance, New Economic School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Revolut and led its expansion from a travel-focused card and app into a multi-product financial platform operating across 40 markets., Revolut reported $6.0 billion in revenue, $2.3 billion in profit before tax and 68.3 million retail customers for 2025., Revolut said in 2026 that its retail customer base had passed 80 million and set a target of 100 million by mid-2027.

## Career timeline

- **2006-2007** — Came to London for internships and joined Lehman Brothers as an equity derivatives trader after graduating.
- **2008-2013** — Worked in equity derivatives trading at Credit Suisse in London.
- **2013** — Acquired British citizenship and left Credit Suisse to pursue entrepreneurship.
- **2015** — Co-founded Revolut with software engineer Vlad Yatsenko, initially offering a card and app designed to reduce foreign-exchange costs.
- **2022** — Condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, pledged a time-limited company match for Red Cross donations, and renounced Russian citizenship.
- **2023** — Founded QuantumLight, a venture firm built around a systematic, data-led investment model.
- **2024** — Revolut received a UK banking licence with restrictions; TIME included Storonsky in its TIME100 Next list.
- **2025** — Revolut marked its tenth anniversary, opened a global headquarters in London, reported 68.3 million year-end retail customers and delivered $6.0 billion in revenue.
- **2026** — Revolut completed UK mobilisation, launched full banking in Mexico, received a French banking licence and conditional approval for a US national bank charter; Storonsky was named European Banker of the Year 2025.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Revolut and led its expansion from a travel-focused card and app into a multi-product financial platform operating across 40 markets.
- Revolut reported $6.0 billion in revenue, $2.3 billion in profit before tax and 68.3 million retail customers for 2025.
- Revolut said in 2026 that its retail customer base had passed 80 million and set a target of 100 million by mid-2027.
- Named to the 2024 TIME100 Next list.
- Named European Banker of the Year 2025 by the Group of 20+1 financial-journalist jury, announced in June 2026.
- Founded QuantumLight, whose inaugural fund closed at its $250 million hard cap in 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Revolut conditional approval to form a national bank; Storonsky described a full-service US bank as essential to the global-bank ambition.
- **2026-09** — Revolut applied for a Swiss banking licence and announced a CHF 150 million investment commitment.
- **2026-09** — Revolut received approval to acquire Banco Cetelem in Argentina and secured a banking licence in Colombia.
- **2026-08** — Revolut received a French banking licence and announced Revolut Research, a dedicated AI research division.
- **2026-06** — Storonsky was announced as European Banker of the Year 2025, the first neobank founder to receive the award.
- **2026-03** — Revolut reported 2025 revenue of $6.0 billion and profit before tax of $2.3 billion, its fifth consecutive year of net profitability.

## Links

- Website: https://www.revolut.com/blog/author/nik-storonsky/
- LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nstoronsky
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/NStoronsky

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/nikolay-nik-storonsky
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26