Call it the Revolut revolution, digital-first reinvention, or digital transformation — the point is simple: the game has changed.
Customers — from individuals, to freelancers to SMEs and enterprises— don’t just want to move money domestically. They expect integrated global services that reflect how they live and work across borders.
Foreign exchange (FX) and remittances aren’t “add-ons.” They’re strategic growth levers that:
🔄 Deepen engagement once you hold customer funds
💰 Unlock new revenue streams through spreads and transaction fees
🌍 Increase stickiness with globally connected users
📊 Position providers against banks and neobanks already bundling FX
And here’s the reality: if you’re not offering FX, you’re leaving money on the table. Unlike fixed payment fees, FX revenues scale with transaction size — a small percentage of each transfer that grows with volume.
The opportunity is vast. Global remittances reached $860 billion in 2024, according to the World Bank. SMEs and corporates add billions more through supplier and contractor payments across borders. That revenue is already being spent — just not necessarily with you.
Yes, hurdles exist: licenses, compliance, partner networks, and long build times. But the barriers are lower than ever. Platforms with multiple pre-built payment provider integrations, FX networks, and Open Banking connections make it possible to launch in weeks, not years.
👉 The real question isn’t if payment businesses should expand into FX and remittances. It’s how long can you afford to wait while competitors capture that revenue?
💬 I’d be interested to hear from others in the industry: is FX already part of your strategy, or still on the roadmap?