DLocal, a Uruguayan fintech company specializing in cross-border payments for emerging markets like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, has recently obtained a U.K. payment institution license from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This license allows DLocal to onboard U.K. merchants through its local subsidiary, Larstal Limited, which was previously restricted due to regulations following the U.K.’s exit from the EU. CEO Pedro Arnt believes DLocal can differentiate itself from established U.K. competitors, such as Worldpay and Checkout.com, by focusing on emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. DLocal aims to leverage the U.K. as a hub for global companies seeking to expand in these regions. Since its establishment in 2016, the company has expanded its global footprint, now employing over 1,000 people and holding more than 30 licenses worldwide. Despite facing robust competition in the U.K. fintech space, DLocal continues to grow. After going public in 2021 with a valuation of $9 billion, the company’s market capitalization currently stands at $3.4 billion. Arnt has dismissed rumors of a potential sale, clarifying that DLocal is not currently for sale, though it acknowledges a fiduciary duty to consider any credible offers.
