Fintech unicorn Transferwise achieves first profit

U.K. financial technology (fintech) firm Transferwise claimed it has achieved its first operational profit six years after it was founded in London by Chief Executive Taavet Hinrikus and his fellow Estonian Kristo Kaarmann.

The global fintech unicorn, which means it is a start-up valued at more than a billion dollars, is a currency exchange that offers a simple user interface and peer-to-peer network that it says matches customers wanting to swap money with each other. This means foreign exchange (FX) rates can be drastically reduced in comparison with bank charges where money is actually moved overseas.

Transferwise says it is currently amassing £8 million a month in revenue and is on target to reach £100 million ($129 million) for the year, placing it in the black on its accounts for the first time.

The online operation presently claims 10 percent of the overseas money transfer market in the U.K. and a growing global presence. It offers deals on 40 currencies and moves over £1 billion every month for more than a million customers, which it expects to double this year as it seeks to replicate its 150 percent growth rate last year. As the fintech expands its growth is likely to slow as it scales up.

In a statement Transferwise CEO, Taavet Hinrikus, said: “To have hit break-even just six years on from launch shows how strong the foundations of our business are. This is just the starting point. With the unique platform we’ve built, we’re looking forward to creating a new kind of financial services for the future.”

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Source: Fintech unicorn Transferwise achieves first profit – CNBC