Revolut is betting big on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, but the UK fintech warns this strategy could alienate environmentally conscious users. In its 2025 annual report, the company highlighted that supporting energy-heavy industries presents a tangible reputational hazard.

The warning comes as AI datacenters and crypto mining operations compete fiercely for electricity. Geopolitical tensions, specifically the recent US-Israel conflict with Iran, have driven energy costs higher, sharpening the scrutiny on power-hungry compute infrastructure. Revolut noted that shifting public sentiment regarding the carbon footprint of high-profile cryptocurrencies and AI training could dampen demand for their services.

Despite these concerns, financial performance remains robust. Pre-tax profits jumped 57% to £1.7bn, with revenue reaching £4.5bn. The platform now serves 68.3 million customers globally after securing full UK banking status. CEO Nik Storonsky described the period as a landmark transition into a global bank, citing their technology-driven model as the engine for record profitability.

Expansion continues with a US banking license application pending and mortgage products launching in select markets. Internally, Revolut adjusted its controversial "Karma" system, which tracks employee behavior for bonus calculations, aiming for clearer standardization.

For engineering teams watching the sector, Revolut's stance signals a growing tension between rapid AI deployment and sustainability goals. As the company aims for 100 million users by mid-2027, how they balance compute demands with public perception will likely define their next phase of growth.

Source: The Guardian