Lightyear nabs European license

The share trading app launched in the UK in 2021 and has big plans to expand across Europe in the next few years.

Lightyear, a fintech stock trading app, has landed a license to allow it to operate in the EU.

The London-based company, which has raised $10m and started onboarding customers in September of 2021, is aiming to build a pan-European digital wealth app with social investing features.

Its Estonian license proceeds an expected launch in Europe, expected in the first half of 2022.

Founded by early Wise, formerly Transferwise) alumni Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer the company has some clear Estonian roots. Nishil Parekh, Revolut’s former trading lead, is also one of its early employees leading Lightyear’s product development.

Lightyear's backers include Habito investor Mosaic Ventures, Taavet+Sten, the investment firm of Wise founder Taavet Hinrikus and Teleport’s Sten Tamkivi, as well a Metaplanet’s Jaan Tallinn and early Monzo backer Eileen Burbidge.

There are more people in Europe investing now than ever before, but there’s still a very long way to go. Our goal is to give all of Europe access to the world’s markets without hidden fees and to make investing cognitively easy. We’re excited to have such a strong group of investors that share this vision with us,” Sokk said back in September.