Vlad Yatsenko, co-founder of Revolut, resigns from his position as CTO.

      **TL;DR** Revolut's co-founder and CTO Vlad Yatsenko will transition to a board role in July, with Donato Lucia, an eight-year engineering veteran, set to take his place as the digital bank aims for a $200 billion IPO in the US.

      Yatsenko was the first employee at Revolut, joining before CEO Nik Storonsky officially launched the company. Later, Storonsky designated him as a co-founder, not in the traditional sense, but as he believed the title would aid in recruiting engineers. As their journey comes to a close, Yatsenko will resign as CTO on July 1, 2026, while becoming a non-executive director on the board, as reported by Sifted and confirmed by a company statement.

      “I am pleased with this decision, as Revolut has evolved from a young, ambitious startup into a significant global enterprise,” Yatsenko remarked.

      **The successor**

      Donato Lucia, currently Revolut’s head of technology, will step into the newly titled vice president of technology role. He joined as a senior software engineer in 2018 and has dedicated the last eight years to developing Revolut’s core banking infrastructure, being promoted to his current position in April 2025. His appointment indicates a desire for continuity, emphasizing that the company intends to build upon existing systems rather than overhaul them.

      **The timing**

      Yatsenko’s exit aligns with a crucial period for Revolut, which is pursuing a US IPO projected to value it at $200 billion within approximately two years. Its last secondary share sale in November set the company’s value at $75 billion, making it the most valuable private tech firm in Europe. The financial growth supports these ambitions, as Revolut reported £4.5 billion in revenue in 2025—an increase of 46% from the previous year—along with a pre-tax profit of £1.7 billion. The company now serves over 70 million customers in more than 100 countries and holds banking licenses in the UK, Lithuania, and Mexico. It has recently established a private banking division and has sought a US bank charter.

      In the tech world, it’s not unusual for founders to step away before an IPO, and Yatsenko’s shift to the board suggests a smooth transition. Nonetheless, it also highlights how the startup he helped create has transformed into a regulated financial entity with significant B2B aspirations and a mandate for stringent governance as it approaches public markets.

      **From startup title to board seat**

      Storonsky’s open acknowledgment about the co-founder title reflects the resourceful and adaptable spirit of Revolut’s early days. Yatsenko, as employee number one, created the technology that empowers the now $75 billion digital bank. While the title may not have been entirely precise, the infrastructure he developed is foundational to all transactions.

      The challenge for Revolut is not whether it can function without Yatsenko as CTO, but if an internal promotion after eight years is sufficient for navigating the demands of an IPO, a US bank charter application, and the regulatory oversight that both entail. Lucia possesses the institutional knowledge; however, whether he has the authority to transform the engineering culture for future challenges will only become apparent over the next two years.