UK fintech “unicorn” Checkout.com is expanding into Lithuania by establishing a technology centre in Vilnius, the Bank of Lithuania announced Tuesday.
The central bank granted the British company permission to acquire Lithuanian e-money institution Blue EMI.
“Lithuania is steadily becoming the first choice for international fintech companies, and Checkout.com proves this. Our country is a hub for financial innovation,” Bank of Lithuania Governor Gediminas Šimkus said in a statement.
Guillaume Pousaz, founder and CEO of Checkout.com, said Lithuania’s mature fintech sector and clear regulatory framework align with the company’s mission to build a reliable and globally adaptable payments platform.
According to Invest Lithuania CEO Elijus Čivilis, Checkout.com represents exactly the type of fintech investor the country seeks: one focused on talent rather than just favourable operating conditions.
Following the acquisition, Checkout.com will leverage Blue EMI’s expertise in cryptocurrency and gain access to the Bank of Lithuania’s payment system, Centrolink.
The Bank of Lithuania said Checkout.com is one of the world’s largest payment solutions providers, serving e-commerce and fintech companies. Blue EMI, now part of Checkout.com, offers open banking services, integrated payment solutions, and card payment services to online stores and crowdfunding platforms.
The company holds a Lithuanian license to provide payment services and issue euro-denominated stablecoins to institutional clients.
Headquartered in London, Checkout.com employs roughly 2,000 people and serves companies including eBay, Uber, Pinterest, Vinted, Klarna, HelloFresh, and Sony.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
