Revolut Obtains Approval for Stored Value Facilities and Retail Payment Services Licences from the Central Bank of the UAE

WHY THIS MATTERS: The UAE’s financial sector is witnessing a paradigm shift as the nation solidifies its standing as a premier global fintech hub. Revolut’s full licensing by the CBUAE serves as a stark indicator that the era of traditional, fragmented banking models in the region is drawing to a close. This move highlights the accelerating trend of challenger banks targeting emerging markets with sophisticated, borderless financial tools. For the regional consumer—particularly the diverse, expatriate-heavy population—this brings a long-awaited consolidation of cross-border payments and currency management into a single, seamless digital ecosystem. The broader significance lies in the heightened competitive pressure; entrenched incumbents must now prioritize their own digital transformation agendas, or face the reality of being outmaneuvered by platforms that offer frictionless financial experiences natively designed for the mobile-first generation.

Revolut, the global fintech with over 75 million customers worldwide, today announced that it has received its Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence and Retail Payment Services (Category II) licence from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE).

The approval follows the in-principle approval granted to Revolut by the CBUAE in September 2025 and marks the successful completion of the company’s regulatory licensing process in the UAE. The licences represent a significant milestone in Revolut’s expansion in the country and reflect its commitment to meeting the highest standards of governance and compliance.

The authorisation also represents a major step forward in Revolut’s expansion across the Middle East. Since receiving its in-principle approval last year, the company has continued to strengthen its presence, expand its local team, and invest in the infrastructure, capabilities and governance frameworks required to support long-term growth in the UAE.

H.E. Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Investment, commented: “The UAE’s position as a global hub for financial services innovation is built on the strength of our regulatory environment and the confidence international companies continue to place in our long-term vision. Revolut’s licensing approval by the Central Bank of the UAE adds to the depth of that ecosystem and reflects the growing international presence that contributes to the knowledge-based economy the UAE continues to build.”

Ambareen Musa, GCC CEO at Revolut, said: “Receiving our licences from the Central Bank of the UAE is a pivotal moment for Revolut and reflects our commitment to operating to the highest regulatory standards. UAE is one of the most forward-looking financial markets globally, with a strong vision for innovation and financial inclusion.”

“We see tremendous opportunity to contribute to the country’s digital economy by providing consumers with more choice and greater control over how they manage their money. We look forward to deepening our presence in the UAE and bringing more people access to the secure, intuitive and globally connected financial services that Revolut is known for.”

Following the successful completion of its licensing application process, Revolut’s focus now turns to building and preparing its local product offering ahead of a full-scale launch. The company is continuing to invest in its technology, operations and local capabilities to ensure it delivers a product experience tailored to the needs of customers in the UAE, while continuing to meet the regulatory requirements associated with operating in the market.

Once live, Revolut will be able to offer customers in the UAE access to its global financial platform, enabling them to hold and manage multiple currencies, make payments using physical and virtual cards, and send money both locally and internationally through a single app. These capabilities are designed to support the needs of the UAE’s highly international population, providing a seamless way to manage money across different countries, currencies and financial systems.

FF NEWS TAKE: This milestone fundamentally alters the regional banking landscape, signaling to global investors that the UAE’s regulatory environment is primed for disruptive innovation. It shifts the needle by creating a direct challenge to existing liquidity providers. The real litmus test will be Revolut’s ability to successfully navigate local market preferences while scaling its operations. Watch closely for how incumbent banks respond—a wave of feature-copycat updates is likely inevitable.

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