Major UK-based mobile banking app is turning more crypto-friendly, as suggested by its upcoming changes in terms and conditions of crypto products. However, the service is still far away from bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance, as it is not going to allow its customers to transfer cryptoassets to external wallets just yet.
The most significant change that will come into effect from the 27th of July, 2020 concerns acquired cryptoasset ownership. As of now, Revolut is the sole legal owner of all purchased cryptoassets, and users get only the “exposure” to the price movements. Under the new terms, however, clients will legally own all cryptoassets acquired via the platform, and Revolut will act only as a custodial agent that holds and transacts these assets on the client’s behalf.
Despite becoming the legal owners of their digital assets, users will not be able to experience full benefits of cryptoassets as Revolut is not going to permit crypto transactions to non-Revolut users. Besides, the banking app is canceling the ability to use cryptoassets for debit card purchases, as they won’t be automatically converted when making payments anymore.
Essentially, the changes grant Revolut users “beneficial rights” to the underlying crypto assets, which may pave the way forward towards becoming a fully functional digital asset service provider in the future. As the company teases in the email announcement:
“These changes won’t affect your experience - buying and selling cryptocurrency will still be as easy as ever on Revolut. In fact, this change means we can start adding some cool new features... watch this space!”
Revolut, which (as their website claims) boasts more than 10 million customers worldwide, has launched , , , , and trading without private keys for all of its “standard” users in April. The company has first introduced crypto trading .
The company decided to open crypto trading feature to their "standard" customers this April, previously available only for its Premium and Metal customers. In February, the company raised USD 500 million in a Series D round, valuing Revolut at USD 5.5 billion.
We have asked the company for comment.
