Nikolay Storonsky
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology / New Economic School · Revolut
From Russian Physicist to Building Europe's Most Valuable Startup
26 February 2026
Nikolay Storonsky studied physics at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology before moving to London to work as a trader at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. He was frustrated by the excessive fees charged for currency exchange.
A Better Way to Handle Money
In 2015, Storonsky co-founded Revolut with Vlad Yatsenko, offering a card that let users spend abroad at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees. The proposition was immediately compelling for travellers and expats.
Hyper-Growth
Revolut grew faster than almost any fintech in history, expanding from currency exchange into crypto trading, stock trading, savings, insurance, and business banking. The app became a super-app for personal finance.
$33 Billion Valuation
Revolut reached a $33 billion valuation in 2024, making it Europe's most valuable startup. It now serves over 35 million customers across 38 countries. Storonsky's background in physics and trading gave him a unique perspective on financial services that traditional bankers missed.
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