What Lightyear does

Lightyear is a London-headquartered (with Estonian operating entity Lightyear Europe AS) digital investing platform founded in 2020 by former Wise employees Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer, serving retail investors across 25 European countries plus a B2B channel used by over 4,000 European firms. The platform unifies multi-currency accounts (EUR, GBP, USD, HUF), commission-free execution across 6,000+ instruments (US, European, UK and Baltic stocks, ETFs, money-market funds, 12 crypto coins, and Baltic bonds), fractional trading, automated Plans (Ready-made Plans managed by BlackRock and Vanguard), and a high-yield Savings product (up to 2.13% APY) routed through BlackRock and J.P. Morgan Asset Management money-market funds. Technical infrastructure includes direct CREST membership for UK settlement, custody and execution of US securities via Alpaca (SIPC-protected to $500,000), and the July 2025-launched Lightyear AI module for retail market intelligence.

The business model is transaction-based with three revenue streams: a 0.35% FX fee (0.1% for UK users post-CREST membership), small execution fees on trades, and an interest spread retained on Savings balances above the customer-paid rate. Zero account fees and zero ETF commissions position Lightyear as a low-cost broker, with monetization reliant on trade velocity, FX conversion activity, and savings AUM spread. Distribution is fully digital self-serve (iOS, Android, web) augmented by affiliate/referral programs and PR-led acquisition, with the firm targeting a stated TAM of 750 million Europeans and roughly €11 trillion in cash savings as a conversion opportunity.

As of July 2025 the firm manages over $1 billion in customer assets, has raised $58 million in total disclosed funding (most recent: $23 million Series B led by NordicNinja at a $200-300 million valuation), and operates with 51-100 employees. Regulation spans the UK FCA, the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (with MiCA authorization for crypto-asset services), and EU investor protections up to €20,000. Primary open risks for an investment audience are the absence of disclosed revenue, execution-business unit economics at zero-commission pricing, and the spread sensitivity of the Savings product to ECB rate cycles.

Name

Lightyear

Legal name

Lightyear Europe AS

Website

https://lightyear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lightyear is a London- and Tallinn-headquartered digital investing platform founded in 2020 that offers European retail investors and businesses commission-free multi-currency access to global stocks, ETFs, money-market funds, crypto, and bonds across 25 countries, with regulated operations under the FCA and Estonian FSA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Investment Platform

NAICS

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), Commodity Contracts Intermediation (523160)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Border & FX Payments Platforms (BPAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Commission-free brokerage
• Multi-currency investing
• Automated portfolio plans
• Retail investment platform
• Money market savings

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Foreign Exchange (FX) Fees: Lightyear charges 0.35% FX fee when converting between currencies for investment purposes. This is a transaction-based fee applied on currency conversions within the platform.
2. Execution Fees: Small execution fees are charged for order execution. While ETF commissions and account fees are zero, execution fees apply to trades. Fee-free services are designed for long-term investing and cannot be exploited for frequent same-day trading.
3. Interest Spread on Savings: Lightyear retains interest earned above the rate paid to customers on Savings balances held in money market funds. Interest accrues daily at rates up to 2.13% APY.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lightyear is a digital investment platform offering commission-free trading of 6,000+ stocks, ETFs, money market funds, crypto, and bonds across US, European, UK, and Baltic markets with multi-currency accounts (EUR, GBP, USD, HUF). It serves retail investors in 25 European countries with €0 ETF commissions, €0 account fees, and a 0.35% FX fee (reduced to 0.1% for UK users via direct CREST membership). The platform includes automated Ready-made Plans managed by BlackRock and Vanguard, high-yield savings vaults paying up to 2.13% APY, and Lightyear AI for real-time market intelligence.

Product overview

Lightyear is a multi-award winning European investment platform operating as a unified consumer-facing app available on iOS, Android, and web. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of investment products including stocks (US, European, UK, and Baltic markets), ETFs, crypto, bonds, and savings accounts with up to 2.13% APY. The core platform differentiates through zero-commission trading and low fees (€0 ETF commission, €0 account fees, 0.35% FX). Key modules include Lightyear AI for AI-powered market intelligence, Plans for automated investing with fractionalized ETFs, and Ready-made Plans (risk-based portfolios managed by BlackRock and Vanguard). Lightyear also offers a B2B solution (Lightyear Business) serving over 4,000 European firms. The platform is enhanced by direct membership in CREST for UK settlements and operates under FCA and EFSA regulation across 25 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lightyear AI: AI-powered market intelligence tools providing real-time market insights for retail investors.
• Lightyear Savings

Products and services

• Lightyear Platform (Investment App) Multi-currency investment platform accessible via iOS, Android, and web offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, and money market funds across 25 European countries. Features €0 ETF commission, €0 account fees, and 0.35% FX fee.
• Lightyear AI AI-powered market intelligence tool providing real-time market insights, financial analysis, and news for retail investors to democratize access to financial analysis previously available primarily to institutional investors.
• Ready-made Plans Three risk-based pre-configured investment plans (Moderate Mix, Growth Group, All-World Wonder) with funds managed by BlackRock and Vanguard. Designed for automated, low-effort diversified investing with fractionalized ETFs.
• Plans (Custom Automated Investing) Automated DIY investment product allowing users to create personalized investment plans with fractionalized ETFs. Automates contributions to support long-term wealth growth and savings goals.
• Lightyear Savings (Vaults) Easy-access, high-yield savings product invested in Money Market Funds managed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management (2.12% APY) or BlackRock (2.13% APY), tracking ECB rate trends with no minimum or maximum deposit limits.
• Stocks Trading Access to 4,000+ US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq), European stocks from 20+ countries, UK stocks on LSE, and Baltic stocks from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Includes fractional share trading.
• ETFs (Funds) Diverse ETFs from world-class fund managers available for investment, with support for fractional ETF purchases.
• Crypto Trading Access to 12 top-traded coins available in EUR and USD currencies through Lightyear's crypto trading platform, operated under MiCA regulation.
• Bonds Access to Baltic bonds including green bonds from issuers such as AST, AUGA group, Admiral Markets, Apollo Group, and Arco Vara from Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian markets.
• Lightyear Business (B2B Platform) B2B investment solution for European firms, currently used by over 4,000 European businesses for business investment accounts, employee investment benefits, and white-label solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 billion in customer assets under management
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BlackRockcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Strategic partnership to offer Money Market Funds for small businesses and retail investors. BlackRock manages savings product available across multiple European countries earning up to 2.13% APY. Also manages Ready-made Plans funds.
• J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ.P. Morgan Asset Management manages Lightyear Savings product available in Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia, earning 2.12% APY. One of the world's leading asset managers providing institutional-quality management.
• VanguardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVanguard manages funds within Lightyear's Ready-made Plans, providing diversified investment portfolios managed by one of the world's largest investment managers.
• AlpacacoreTechnology or IntegrationUS securities custody partner. Alpaca is FINRA regulated and a registered member of SIPC. US securities are protected up to $500,000 through SIPC.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Revolut: UK-headquartered fintech super-app offering commission-free stock and ETF trading alongside multi-currency accounts and banking. Directly comparable to Lightyear in retail investing across Europe with broader product suite.
• Trading 212: Commission-free multi-asset broker serving UK and European retail investors with stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. Closest direct competitor on pricing model and geographic footprint.
• eToro: Global multi-asset brokerage offering commission-free stock and ETF trading plus crypto. Competes directly with Lightyear across European retail and social investing features.
• Freetrade: UK commission-free broker offering GIA, ISA, and SIPP accounts with stocks and ETFs. Direct competitor in the UK zero-commission retail segment.
• DEGIRO: European discount broker offering low-cost stock, ETF, and multi-currency trading. Directly comparable pricing model and pan-European coverage.
• Scalable Capital: Munich-based broker offering commission-free trading via Scalable Broker plus managed portfolios (Scalable Wealth). Comparable retail proposition with strong DACH presence.

Broad incumbents

• Interactive Brokers: Global incumbent broker with deep European footprint offering multi-currency, multi-asset trading. Competes with Lightyear on breadth and pricing for more sophisticated retail users.
• Robinhood: US-based zero-commission brokerage frequently cited as Lightyear's strategic analogue ('Europe's Robinhood'). Similar product-led growth playbook but larger scale and US-focused.

Emerging players

• Moneyfarm: European wealthtech offering managed portfolios and self-directed investing. Overlaps with Lightyear on Plans/automated investing and ISA offerings in UK and Italy.

Others

• Alpaca: US securities custody and execution partner for Lightyear (FINRA-regulated, SIPC member). Enabling infrastructure provider rather than direct retail competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lightyear
• Instagraminstagram.com/lightyear
• Xx.com/go_lightyear
• Facebookfacebook.com/golightyear

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors10 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lightyear