Revolut Review 2025: Digital Banking with Crypto Features

Revolut Overview

Revolut is a UK-based digital banking platform that offers traditional banking services alongside cryptocurrency trading, stock investing, and other financial products. Founded in 2015, it has grown to serve over 30 million customers globally.

Key Features

• Digital Banking: Current accounts, debit cards, money transfers
• Cryptocurrency Trading: Buy, sell, and hold 80+ cryptocurrencies
• Stock Trading: Commission-free stock and ETF trading
• Multi-Currency: Hold and exchange 28+ fiat currencies
• Premium Plans: Metal cards, travel insurance, higher limits

Global Presence

• Availability: 35+ countries across Europe, US, and Asia
• Regulations: FCA-regulated in UK, licensed in multiple jurisdictions
• User Base: 30+ million customers worldwide
• Valuation: $33 billion (as of 2021)

Business Model

• Freemium: Free basic account with premium paid tiers
• Interchange Fees: Revenue from card transactions
• Trading Spreads: Profit from crypto and forex spreads
• Premium Subscriptions: Monthly fees for advanced features

Crypto Features

Supported Cryptocurrencies

• Major Coins: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash
• Altcoins: Cardano, Polkadot, Chainlink, Uniswap, and 70+ others
• Stablecoins: USDC, Tether (USDT)
• Regular Updates: New cryptocurrencies added regularly

Trading Features

• Instant Trading: Buy and sell crypto instantly
• Recurring Purchases: Dollar-cost averaging with auto-buy
• Price Alerts: Notifications for price movements
• Portfolio Tracking: Real-time portfolio value and performance
• Market Data: Charts, price history, and market information

Crypto Limitations

• No Withdrawals: Cannot withdraw crypto to external wallets
• No Staking: No staking rewards for supported cryptocurrencies
• Limited DeFi: No access to DeFi protocols or yield farming
• Custodial Only: Revolut holds all private keys

Crypto Card Integration

• Crypto Spending: Spend crypto directly with Revolut card
• Auto-Convert: Automatic conversion to fiat for payments
• Cashback: Up to 1% cashback in crypto (premium plans)
• Real-Time Rates: Competitive exchange rates for spending

Fees and Pricing

Account Plans

Crypto Trading Fees

• Standard Plan: 2.5% spread on crypto trades
• Plus Plan: 2.0% spread on crypto trades
• Premium Plan: 1.5% spread on crypto trades
• Metal Plan: 1.25% spread on crypto trades
• Weekend Markup: Additional 1.5% on weekend trades

Other Fees

• Card Payments: Free in supported currencies
• ATM Withdrawals: Free up to monthly limits
• Currency Exchange: Interbank rates on weekdays
• Stock Trading: Commission-free for most stocks

Fee Comparison

Revolut's crypto fees are higher than dedicated crypto exchanges:

• vs Binance: Binance charges 0.1% vs Revolut's 1.25-2.5%
• vs Coinbase: Similar to Coinbase's simplified trading fees
• vs Kraken: Kraken offers lower fees for active traders
• Convenience Premium: Higher fees for integrated banking experience

Security Features

Regulatory Compliance

• FCA Regulated: Authorized by UK Financial Conduct Authority
• Banking License: Full banking license in Lithuania
• FSCS Protection: Up to £85,000 deposit protection (UK)
• Segregated Funds: Customer funds held separately

Security Measures

• Two-Factor Authentication: SMS and app-based 2FA
• Biometric Login: Fingerprint and face recognition
• Card Controls: Instant card freeze/unfreeze
• Transaction Notifications: Real-time spending alerts
• Location-Based Security: Automatic security based on location

Crypto Security

• Cold Storage: Majority of crypto held in cold storage
• Insurance: Crypto holdings covered by insurance
• Custodial Model: Revolut controls all private keys
• No Self-Custody: Users cannot withdraw to personal wallets

Privacy Considerations

• KYC Required: Full identity verification mandatory
• Transaction Monitoring: All transactions monitored for compliance
• Data Sharing: May share data with regulators and partners
• GDPR Compliant: Follows European data protection rules

User Experience

Mobile App

• Design: Clean, intuitive interface
• Performance: Fast, responsive app
• Features: All banking and crypto features in one app
• Ratings: 4.2/5 on App Store, 4.1/5 on Google Play

Onboarding Process

• Account Setup: Quick 5-10 minute registration
• Identity Verification: Photo ID and selfie verification
• Address Verification: Utility bill or bank statement
• Card Delivery: Physical card delivered within 5-7 days

Customer Support

• In-App Chat: 24/7 customer support via app
• Response Time: Usually within minutes during business hours
• Phone Support: Available for premium customers
• Help Center: Comprehensive FAQ and guides

Crypto Trading Experience

• Simple Interface: Easy buy/sell buttons
• Real-Time Prices: Live market data and charts
• Quick Execution: Instant trade execution
• Portfolio View: Clear overview of holdings and performance

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• All-in-One Platform: Banking, crypto, stocks in one app
• User-Friendly: Excellent mobile app design
• Regulated: FCA-regulated with deposit protection
• Global Reach: Available in 35+ countries
• Crypto Spending: Spend crypto directly with card
• No Minimum: No minimum deposit or balance requirements
• Multi-Currency: Hold and exchange multiple currencies
• Premium Features: Metal cards, travel benefits

Disadvantages

• High Crypto Fees: 1.25-2.5% spreads vs 0.1% on exchanges
• No Crypto Withdrawals: Cannot move crypto to external wallets
• Limited Crypto Features: No staking, DeFi, or advanced trading
• Custodial Only: No control over private keys
• Weekend Markup: Higher fees on weekend crypto trades
• Limited Availability: Not available in all countries

Best For

• Crypto Beginners: Simple interface for first-time buyers
• Casual Investors: Small amounts, infrequent trading
• Digital Nomads: Multi-currency features and global access
• All-in-One Users: Want banking and crypto in one app
• Crypto Spenders: Want to spend crypto with a card

Not Ideal For

• Serious Crypto Traders: High fees and limited features
• DeFi Users: No access to DeFi protocols
• Self-Custody Advocates: Cannot withdraw crypto
• Large Investors: High fees make it expensive for large amounts
• Advanced Traders: Lack of advanced trading tools

Alternatives to Revolut

Dedicated Crypto Platforms

• Binance: Lower fees, more features, full crypto exchange
• Coinbase: Similar ease of use, better crypto features
• Kraken: Lower fees, advanced trading, crypto withdrawals

Digital Banking Alternatives

• N26: Similar digital banking, limited crypto features
• Monzo: UK digital bank, no crypto features
• Chime: US digital bank, no crypto features

Hybrid Platforms

• PayPal: Crypto trading with limited features
• Robinhood: Stocks and crypto, US-focused
• eToro: Social trading with crypto and stocks

Traditional Banks with Crypto

• JPMorgan: Limited crypto services for institutions
• Goldman Sachs: Crypto trading for wealthy clients
• Fidelity: Crypto custody and trading services

Final Verdict

Recommendation

Revolut is excellent for beginners who want to dip their toes into cryptocurrency while maintaining a full-featured digital banking experience. The convenience of having banking, crypto, and investments in one app is compelling, but serious crypto users will find the limitations frustrating.

Choose Revolut if you want simplicity and convenience over advanced crypto features. For serious crypto trading or investing, consider dedicated platforms like Binance or Coinbase.

Getting Started

• Start Free: Begin with the free Standard plan
• Small Amounts: Test with small crypto purchases first
• Upgrade Later: Consider premium plans for lower fees
• Use for Spending: Take advantage of crypto spending features
• Complement Other Platforms: Use alongside dedicated crypto exchanges