Revolut Targets Crypto Derivatives with New Compliance Hire

Revolut, the London-based digital banking giant, is signalling a significant expansion into the crypto derivatives market.

Overview

A recent “General Manager Crypto Derivatives” job posting suggests that the company is preparing to deepen its involvement in London, Barcelona, and Dubai. The job, listed on Revolut’s careers portal and professional networks, emphasises experience with derivatives products, particularly those related to digital assets. Revolut spokesperson said, “We can confirm we’re hiring to expand our expertise in crypto products and services across several markets, particularly for institutional clients but we’re in the early stages of recruitment and don’t have additional details to share at this time.” According to the listing, the ideal candidate will comply with regulatory frameworks governing global derivative trading. 

This includes engagement with derivatives-specific licensing regimes and knowledge of rules enforced by major regulatory bodies such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US, and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The role would be pivotal in helping Revolut navigate the compliance landscape as it gears up for product diversification in the volatile crypto sector. This marks a strategic move by Revolut to expand beyond offering spot crypto trading, a service it launched in 2017. Since then, the company has added a range of tokens to its app and gained a reputation for offering retail investors an easy entry into digital assets. However, crypto derivatives—including futures, options, and perpetual contracts—represent a significantly more advanced product set with high risk and reward.

Positioning for Competitive Growth in Crypto Finance

Revolut’s interest in expanding into crypto derivatives aligns with broader industry trends. Major exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase have built robust derivatives offerings to attract sophisticated traders. The derivatives market often generates larger trading volumes than spot markets due to its appeal to hedge funds, institutional investors, and day traders looking to amplify returns using leverage. According to several industry reports, derivatives make up more than 70% of the total crypto market volume as of 2025. 

By entering this space, Revolut could tap into a lucrative revenue stream and enhance its competitiveness in the crowded fintech landscape. Moreover, with rival fintech platforms like Robinhood already expanding crypto trading tools, Revolut’s move may also be driven by the need to retain and grow its user base of over 40 million global customers. The job listing also indicates that Revolut plans to work closely with regulators, suggesting that any launch of derivatives products would be tailored to specific jurisdictions. This contrasts with some crypto firms that have faced scrutiny for offering leveraged products without proper oversight. Revolut’s approach appears more cautious and compliance-driven, aligning with its ongoing effort to secure a UK banking licence and reinforce its reputation as a responsible financial services provider.

Regulatory Landscape Poses Challenges and Opportunities

Venturing into the crypto derivatives market is no small feat, particularly given the tightening global regulatory environment. Several jurisdictions have cracked down on unregulated derivatives trading, citing leverage, market manipulation, and investor protection risks. In the UK, for instance, the FCA has banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail investors since 2021. The US CFTC has also taken action against multiple firms offering unauthorised crypto futures and options.

Given these challenges, Revolut may initially focus on professional or institutional clients in markets where derivatives are permitted under regulatory guidelines. Depending on evolving laws, the firm might consider launching via subsidiaries in friendlier jurisdictions before expanding to broader markets. Nevertheless, the expansion offers a chance for Revolut to establish itself further as a leader in digital finance. With its track record in integrating financial services, user-friendly apps, and global presence, the company is well-positioned to create accessible, regulated crypto derivatives products for the next wave of digital asset investors.

As the crypto market matures and investor demand becomes more sophisticated, Revolut’s push into derivatives — hinted at through this strategic job hire — may be a pivotal moment in transforming from a neobank into a full-fledged digital financial platform.