U.K.-based financial super app Revolut will be debuting commission-free stock trading for U.S. customers soon, according to a CNBC report Tuesday (Sept. 21), after it obtained a broker-dealer license.
Revolut became a so-called super app by continuing to add new features to its platform, after launching as a way to help people avoid currency conversion fees, but now includes banking, trading and cryptocurrency features, among many others, for its 16 million-plus customers.
The company secured a $33 billion valuation in July when it got investments from Softbank and Tiger Global, among other investors.
Read more: Revolut’s $33B Valuation Reflects The Promise Of Open Banking
“We are building a single app where people can manage all aspects of their finances, from banking and foreign exchange to cryptocurrency and stock trading,” said CEO and founder Nik Storonsky in the company announcement. “We’re eager to break down common barriers to entry around stock trading such as account minimums and complex interfaces.”
Revolut launched in the U.S. just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has added high-interest savings, small business banking, U.S.-Mexico remittances and cryptocurrency trading to its portfolio of offerings.
The company is now testing the stock trading service, which lets users buy ETFs, shares of NYSE and Nasdaq-listed companies, Ron Oliveira, head of Revolut’s U.S. business, said, noting the trading service will be available in a few months.
Revolut will eventually go public in the U.K., U.S. or both, said Storonsky.
Related news: Revolut Uses Bitcoin to Secure Its Largest US Office Space
Revolut recently used bitcoin to pay for its space in Dallas with flexible office provider WeWork, which will serve as the hub for the company’s American expansion efforts, according to a press release on Thursday (Sept. 16).
More than 300 Revolut employees will work in the new location.
Rhebecka D’Silva, Revolut’s global head of real estate, said that the startup aims to “push the boundaries of innovation,” making WeWork a good fit for its new U.S. headquarters.
Most of Revolut’s more than 2,000 employees have the option of dividing their work hours between home and the office. Revolut now rents spaces from WeWork in Berlin, Dallas, Dublin, Melbourne, Moscow, Singapore and New York.
As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans are gearing up for another exhilarating NCAA tournament.
In the future, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology could change March Madness as we know it. Let’s break down how the digital revolution could transform the Big Dance.
AI is already being used to predict brackets. Gone are the days of agonizing over your picks based on team mascots or your alma mater’s colors. In 2025, AI-powered bracketology is the name of the game. Fans can use algorithms that crunch data points, from player statistics to historical upset probabilities, all at the click of a button.
But beware, bracket enthusiasts. While these AI tools promise to boost your chances of winning the office pool, they can’t account for the quintessential March Madness chaos. You know, the instance where AI can predict everything except the inevitable Cinderella story that ruins everyone’s bracket by the second round.
In a move that would be sure to ruffle some feathers, AI-generated commentary could be used for games. Digital play-by-play announcers would never need a bathroom break and potentially be able to recall obscure statistics from the 1957 tournament in an instant.
Can’t make it to the Final Four? Ten years from now, games might happen in a digital stadium, Forbes reported. With virtual reality (VR) technology, fans could experience the thrill of courtside seats from the comfort of their living rooms.
“AI-generated athletes, inspired by the procedural generation techniques of video game developers … could perform in virtual arenas, exhibiting strategies and plays conceived by advanced predictive algorithms,” Forbes reported.
Just be careful not to get too caught up in the moment with streaming. Wouldn’t want to have reports of fans attempting to rush the virtual court after buzzer-beaters have led to an uptick in living room injuries — especially when that flat screen falls over.
While human coaches still call the shots, AI assistants could one day be indispensable members of the coaching staff. In the next five years, these digital strategists could analyze opponent tendencies and more.
“Building on existing technologies … AI will provide coaches and players with intricate, multi-dimensional data patterns that dramatically enhance both offensive and defensive strategies,” Forbes reported. “These advanced algorithms will analyze vast datasets from numerous games to uncover hidden trends, strategic insights, and predictive cues about opponents’ potential moves.”
Say goodbye to controversial calls. Advanced computer vision systems could assist referees in making split-second decisions, from determining if a player’s toe was on the line for a three-pointer to detecting the slightest touch on a blocked shot.
The Hawk-Eye system is already used in tennis and cricket to help determine fouls, Viso.AI reported.
“This system uses a network of cameras to track the ball and then compares the trajectory of the ball to a virtual model of the playing surface,” the report said. “This system is accurate within a few millimeters, which is much more accurate than the human eye.”
As we dive into March Madness 2025, it’s clear that technology will change the way we experience the tournament. From AI-powered brackets to virtual reality arenas, the digital revolution is coming for basketball. But at its core, the magic of March Madness remains the thrill of competition, the joy of unexpected victories, and the heartbreak of last-second defeats.
So, whether you’re relying on an AI to pick your bracket this year, or screaming at a holographic referee in the future, remember to enjoy the ride. In the unpredictable world of college basketball, sometimes the best strategy is to embrace the madness — digital or otherwise.
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