Modulr
“Can a licensed EMI-backed payments infrastructure company become the programmable financial operating layer for UK and European fintechs, lenders, and vertical SaaS platforms?”
Founded as an API-first payments infrastructure company, Modulr obtained UK EMI licensing to offer programmable electronic money accounts and direct access to Faster Payments, Bacs, and CHAPS. The company expanded into the EEA via an Irish EMI licence and a Dutch subsidiary. Over time it broadened beyond pure payment rails to serve specific verticals — payroll software, lenders, and accountancy platforms — bundling reconciliation tooling and account services. The 2026 launch of Spend Management (virtual cards and spend controls) marks a further move toward becoming a full payment automation platform rather than a pure-play payment rails provider.