Trade Republic Adding Catalan?
Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!
Trade Republic may be preparing to add Catalan to its app, following in the footsteps of Revolut’s recent move toward a physical presence in Catalunya.
The German neobank already has 400.000 users in the Catalunya region, which represents 20% of their total user base in Spain.
Taken together, the two announcements point to something bigger than a language setting or a local office: the battle for Spanish retail banking is moving from product features to market adaptation.
For years, neobanks competed by being faster, cheaper, and more intuitive than the incumbents. That edge still matters, but it is no longer enough on its own.
When products start to look similar, the next frontier is brand trust and the ability to feel genuinely relevant in each market.
The winners in the next cycle will likely be the ones that pair strong digital products with local relevance, rather than assuming a universal app experience is enough.
More of digital banking's latest moves below. See you tomorrow!
Cheers,
INSIGHTS
📰 Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) by DashDevs. Written by Artur Nesterenko, the piece explains that CBDCs are state-issued digital currencies designed to function as regulated digital cash or settlement infrastructure. It outlines their key use cases, differences from stablecoins and bank money, and the strategic trade-offs, highlighting their growing relevance as a foundational layer for payments, wallets, and financial infrastructure.
🌍 The world’s top 10 neobanks are worth over $250 BILLION 🤯
And the leaderboard is more global than you might expect👇
NEWS
🇪🇸 Trade Republic is considering launching its app in Catalan. The German neobank, which has more than 400,000 customers in Catalonia (20% of its total), has received an official request from the Catalan government to include Catalan in its app and is evaluating the proposal.
🇭🇰 Ant Group digital bank adds stock trading to AlipayHK. The feature allows users to buy Hong Kong and US shares and ETFs. The service also covers warrants and callable contracts through the app’s wealth section with zero commission for Hong Kong stocks and no custody fees.
🇵🇹 Revolut surpasses €600 million in deposits in Portugal and launches joint savings accounts and a program for young people. The expansion of two savings products in the country reinforces Revolut's strategy of consolidating its position as the primary bank account for families, focusing on products that meet the needs of daily financial life.
🌍 Revolut's number of customers has increased from 50 million to 70 million, and counting. The company added 16 million users in 2025 alone and is targeting 100 million customers by mid-2027, alongside continued revenue and profitability growth.
🇺🇸 Blend launches Autopilot MCP Server, opening its lending platform to FI-built AI agents. For lenders and partners, Autopilot MCP opens a new category of possibility: the ability to build and deploy AI agents tailored to their workflows, guidelines, and borrower experiences, without rebuilding the underlying infrastructure.
🇳🇬 Casha Technologies launches Casha Microfinance Bank in Nigeria with CBN License. According to a statement by the Head of Corporate Services, Ginika Okonkwo, the expansion reinforced the company’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion and supporting Nigeria’s dynamic digital economy.
Want your message in front of 100.000+ FinTech fanatics, founders, investors, and operators?
Shoot me a message on LinkedIn or send me an e-mail.
