Early Life and Education
Vlad Yatsenko was born in August 1983, in East Germany, to Ukrainian parents. He spent his childhood in Ukraine, where he developed a strong interest in technology, despite having limited access to computers early in his life. Yatsenko attended the Mykolaiv branch of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and earned a Master's degree in computer science in 2006. He taught himself to code by writing programs on paper, which honed his methodical approach to software development.
Career and Founding of Revolut
Yatsenko began his professional career in London around 2010. He worked as a senior software developer at UBS, focusing on systems for trading and risk management. Following his time at UBS, Yatsenko held roles at Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, contributing to financial software solutions. His experiences in traditional finance exposed him to the inefficiencies of legacy systems. In 2015, he co-founded Revolut with Nik Storonsky in London, establishing the company at the Level39 fintech accelerator in Canary Wharf.
Rise to Success
Revolut started as a mobile app designed to eliminate high foreign exchange fees. Yatsenko took primary responsibility for developing the technical prototype, leveraging his software engineering background. The company quickly gained traction, expanding its offerings to include cryptocurrency trading, stock investing, and business accounts. Revolut’s user-centric design and rapid innovation attracted millions of users seeking alternatives to traditional banking. Revolut has become one of the most successful fintech companies globally, valued at $75 billion as of November 2025.
Key Business Strategies
Yatsenko, as CTO, led Revolut's technology development and innovation. Revolut's core strategy involved offering multi-currency accounts, instant foreign exchange at interbank rates, and fee-free international transfers. The company focused on a user-friendly mobile app and expanded its services to include cryptocurrency trading, stock investments, and business accounts. In 2024, Revolut generated $4 billion in revenue and a profit before tax of $1.4 billion. The company aims to reach 100 million customers by mid-2027 and expand into more than 30 new markets by 2030.
Philanthropy
Yatsenko has also supported the Ukrainian community. Revolut has raised over £8.5 million for Ukraine and the company contributed an additional £1.5 million. Yatsenko made a personal donation of €100,000 to Ireland's Late Late Toy Show appeal, which supports various children's charities.
