Zilch, the fast-growing consumer payments platform reshaping how people shop and pay, has reached a major milestone after securing its own payment services licence from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This licence elevates Zilch into the upper tier of regulated payments providers, giving the company greater independence, a stronger competitive position, and the ability to accelerate innovation across its product ecosystem.
Financial Technology Insights: BanKo Taps ACI Worldwide to Modernize Payment Infrastructure
By receiving FCA authorization, Zilch no longer needs to depend on third-party providers to power its payment services. Instead, it can build more of its infrastructure in-house, bring new products to market faster, and stay ahead of emerging technologies like stablecoins. The timing is pivotal: Zilch recently unveiled two significant products Zilch Pay, coming in H1 2026, designed to capture a larger share of consumer spending with a seamless one-click checkout; and Intelligent Commerce, an AI-driven platform that turns real-time consumer engagement data into actionable insights.
According to CEO and Co-Founder Philip Belamant, this licence represents a transformational leap forward.
“This is a major step change for Zilch… It opens the door to new opportunities, setting us up to move even faster, more efficiently and cost-effectively,” he said, noting that Zilch’s rapid growth to over 5.3 million users in just five years reflects the strength of its technology and offering.
Financial Technology Insights: WSPN Partners With ArrivalX to Transform Cross-Border Payments
With FCA scrutiny reaching near-bank levels, the approval serves as strong validation of Zilch’s operational maturity and regulatory strength. The licence also unlocks deeper collaboration across the payments ecosystem, giving Zilch early access to industry roadmaps, product testing environments, and strategic partnership opportunities.
Further strengthening its payments footprint, Zilch has also secured Visa Principal Membership for the first time an important step in its long-term expansion strategy. The companies plan to explore collaborations in next-generation technology, including agentic commerce.
Financial Technology Insights: Thunes Joins WEF Unicorn Community to Advance Global Payments
Mark Berry, Head of UK Clients at Visa, commented:
“Working together, we can deliver smarter ways to pay and be paid across the UK at scale.”
This achievement caps a significant growth period for Zilch, including a recent USD $175 million raise in debt and equity and becoming the Official Way to Pay for Arsenal Football Club. With its new regulatory status and major partnerships, Zilch is poised for an even more ambitious next chapter in payments innovation.
To share your insights with the FinTech Newsroom, please write to us at info@intentamplify.com