N26, known as Number 26 until July 2016, has become a leader in digital banking, changing traditional banking norms with its innovative approach. Founded in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Taienthal, N26 is a German neobank headquartered in Berlin, Germany, offering its services in various European Union member states within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
N26 was founded on the idea of rethinking banking in the digital age, and the name was inspired by the 26 individual cubes visible on a complete Rubik's cube, symbolizing the simplification of complexity. N26 was originally launched as a financial technology startup, but received a significant boost in April 2015 with a €10 million Series A investment from Valar Ventures, accelerating its journey to disrupt banking.
The turning point for N26 came in July 2016 when the company transformed into N26 Bank, receiving its own banking license from German regulator BaFin. This event was a turning point, allowing N26 to operate independently and offer a full range of banking services directly to its customers.
However, N26's journey was not without its challenges. The company faced scrutiny, terminating several customer accounts for reasons such as excessive ATM withdrawals and suspected money laundering. Despite these obstacles, N26 continued to pursue its mission to democratize banking by expanding its reach and offerings.
In the years that followed, N26 has seen exponential growth fueled by strategic investments and partnerships. In March 2018, the company raised $160 million in a Series C round, which included high-profile backers such as Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings and Allianz X. The capital injection has helped N26's customer base grow to 850,000 and the company has ambitious goals for the future.
N26's meteoric rise continued in January 2019 when the company led a Series D round and raised another $300 million led by Insight Venture Partners and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC. This round valued N26 at $2.7 billion, overtaking Revolut as the most valuable mobile bank in Europe.
In July 2019, N26 entered the competitive US market by partnering with Axos Bank to offer its services to US customers. Despite initial optimism, N26 announced its withdrawal from the US market, refocusing its attention on consolidating its European operations.
In the process of expanding, N26 faced regulatory and compliance challenges. In May 2021, BaFin fined N26 €4.25 million for anti-money laundering deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of robust regulatory compliance in the banking sector.
Despite these setbacks, N26 did not give up, continuing to innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics. In October 2021, the company raised $900 million in a Series E round, valuing it at $9 billion. This confirmed investor confidence in the disruptive potential and long-term viability of N26.
In 2022, N26 celebrated the 8 million customer milestone and introduced the N26 Crypto cryptocurrency, marking the company's exit from banking to investment.
On January 17, 2024, N26 unveiled its newest stock and ETF trading product, allowing all account holders to buy and sell stocks and ETFs directly on the N26 app.
Looking to the future, N26 EU remains true to its mission to provide seamless, user-centric banking services to customers across Europe and beyond. With a focus on innovation, compliance and customer centricity, N26 is poised to shape the future of banking in the digital age.
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