何謂新型銀行（Neobanks）及其擁抱數碼貨幣的方式

新型銀行 成為銀行業的變革推手，為精通加密貨幣的新世代提供全數碼化金融服務。這些全線上銀行毋須設立實體分行，運用現代科技，透過時尚的手機應用程式及網上平台來提供服務。隨著加密貨幣逐漸獲主流關注，不少新型銀行亦開始整合加密貨幣功能，進一步模糊了傳統金融與數碼資產之間的界線。

本文會拆解新型銀行是甚麼、與傳統銀行有何不同、各種新型銀行模式，以及新型銀行如何逐步與加密貨幣連結。我們亦會探討新型銀行出現的原因、其優缺點、全球具代表性的例子、地區性監管差異，以及這些金融科技創新者於不斷演化的加密金融生態系統中的未來發展。

1. 甚麼是新型銀行？ — 定義與概述

新型銀行（即「新銀行」）本質上是一種純網絡運作、沒有實體分行的銀行。與有實體分行的傳統銀行不同，新型銀行只透過手機應用程式和網頁介面等數碼渠道提供銀行服務。它們提供許多傳統銀行的核心服務——如儲蓄戶口、支付、存款、部分亦有貸款——但一切以流動優先體驗為主。新型銀行常設即時餘額提示、消費通知、預算工具和人工智能分析等功能，吸引熱愛科技的用戶。由於省去了設立分行和前台人員帶來的高昂開支，新型銀行一般能收取更低費用，或提供更吸引的利率。

值得留意的是，新型銀行屬於「挑戰者銀行」的一個子類別。即使傳統銀行近年增設了數碼服務，新型銀行最大分別在於「出生就是數碼」，全無舊有基建包袱。"Neobank"一詞源於希臘語 neo，即「新」的意思，強調這種銀行為互聯網年代而生。大部分新型銀行以金融科技公司架構運行，一般會與持牌銀行合作，或先獲得專門金融牌照，而非一開業就擁有全銀行牌照。這令它們可利用新科技架構與快速開發，靈活推出銀行服務。總括而言，新型銀行即是本土數碼化的金融服務，經手機或電腦帶來強調便利、低收費及現代功能的銀行新體驗。

2. 新型銀行與傳統銀行有何分別？

新型銀行與傳統實體銀行在多個根本層面截然不同：

無實體分行：最明顯的區別是新型銀行完全沒有自己的分行或櫃員機。所有操作——包括開戶、客戶服務、存款、支付——均在手機App或網站上完成。這種無分行模式大幅降低營運成本（比如租金、人手、水電等）。傳統銀行需要花費巨額維持實體設施，而新型銀行只須維護伺服器及軟件。結果，新型銀行能提供更低收費，或甚至免費基本戶口，亦常有更高存款利率；反觀傳統銀行因運作成本高，維護費用及利率較不吸引。

科技與基建：新型銀行以現代雲端基建和敏捷軟件開發為本，經常更新功能，採用微服務架構，及引進AI聊天機械人等支援服務。傳統銀行大多仍用數十年前的核心系統，IT結構複雜且難以革新，導致數碼創新進度較慢；新型銀行則能更快推出新功能或整合方案。舊有銀行需要兼顧技術負擔與舊系統保養，限制其數碼革新速度。

營運模式及服務範圍：新型銀行多從幾項重點服務起步（如配備扣賬卡的存款戶口），主打卓越用戶體驗，隨著發展漸擴展產品線。傳統銀行一般一站式提供全方位產品（貸款、按揭、信用卡、保險、投資等）。新型銀行初期較精簡並針對特定客群或需求，例如最初只做預付卡和預算App，之後才加入儲蓄或貸款。這種專注讓用戶於細分市場享有極流暢體驗，而傳統銀行雖然服務多樣，卻可能用戶體驗較繁瑣。

監管及牌照：新型銀行與傳統銀行在監管上也有重要分別。許多新型銀行創立時並不持有完整銀行牌照，而是與受監管銀行合作、持有電子貨幣牌照或其他金融科技特許，藉此營運。例如，美國某些新型銀行會與FDIC保險合作銀行託管用戶資金，或在歐洲持有電子貨幣機構牌照管理支付。傳統銀行均持有完整銀行牌照，必須遵守嚴格的資本要求、申報及監管。沒有自家銀行牌照的新型銀行，仍要透過合作模式或有限牌照遵章，但安排上或有不同。例如，美國有監管機構要求金融科技如Chime澄清"Chime並非銀行"，因其並無銀行特許，只是透過夥伴提供銀行服務。歐洲部分新型銀行已取得全銀行牌照（如N26、Monzo等），部分則由輕便電子貨幣牌照起家，後來再追取完整銀行資格。總的來說，兩者必須遵守消費者保障和安全規範，但新型銀行多由另類框架或沙盒模式起步。

客戶體驗及可及性：新型銀行以簡化及流暢的客戶體驗自豪。開戶通常只需幾分鐘手機操作，包括數碼身份核實（如掃描證件、自拍認證）。傳統銀行較常要求多份文件，甚至親臨分行。新型銀行也普遍設有24小時App內即時客服或AI解答，而傳統銀行習慣以辦公時間電話或到分行處理。對年輕或科技用戶來說，新型銀行的便利性與用戶體驗，明顯優勝於傳統面對面服務模式。不過，重視人際接觸或需複雜理財建議（如按揭）者，可能仍愛傳統銀行。此外，新型銀行對於銀行服務不足群體（如沒信用紀錄或被拒開戶者）更為包容，提供無最低存款要求戶口或協助工具。

總結而言，新型銀行與傳統銀行在運作模式（數碼vs實體，現代科技vs舊有系統）、產品服務（專注型、低收費、好用戶體驗vs全面型和有實體業務）等方面有顯著差異。兩者都受監管，但新型銀行用更靈活結構打入市場，於成本和體驗上挑戰傳統龍頭。

3. 新型銀行類型 — 獨立全牌vs合作模式

並非所有新型銀行的運作模式都一樣，按營運和持牌結構，大致可分為兩大類：

全牌（獨立）新型銀行：這類新型銀行是完全獨立、持有全銀行牌照（或等同全國銀行資格）的銀行，直接負責前端客戶及後端核心銀行運作。全牌新型銀行取得正式牌照，可直接持有用戶存款並受監管保護。他們全面控制技術堆疊（前端App／介面和後端核心銀行基建），因不需依賴第三方銀行，能自主提供更多服務。例子如N26、Monzo、Starling Bank等，這些銀行皆經過嚴格審批，成為真正的銀行。這些獨立型新型銀行，存款直接放在他們手上，並依當地存款保障計劃受保；雖然有更高控制權和盈利潛力（如能放貸賺息），但亦面對更高監管和資本要求。

前端主導（合作模式）新型銀行：這類新型銀行重點在於用戶介面和體驗，並與一間或多間傳統銀行合作，由合作銀行負責受監管功能（如託管資金和合規）。新型銀行自身不持有銀行牌照，主要靠背後持牌銀行或「銀行即服務」平台處理核心銀行功能。新型銀行App就像是傳統銀行基建上的現代化介面。用戶體驗上依然是新型銀行品牌，但實際戶口法律上可能設於合作銀行。典型例子是Revolut早期模式——好幾年內只持有電子貨幣牌照，實際接通合作銀行供應戶口。美國不少新型銀行同樣採用這個做法，如Chime等與FDIC受保銀行（如The Bancorp Bank、Stride Bank）合作，提供真正的存款戶口。這些前端主導... neobanks 在用戶體驗（UX）、功能同針對性市場推廣方面表現出色，同時會將受監管部分外判俾有實力的機構。好處係可以更快推出市場（go-to-market），而且入場門檻較低（唔需要一開始就符合銀行資本要求）。壞處就係依賴性高——佢哋要同合作夥伴分潤，而且產品設計嘅靈活性較低（會受合作夥伴能力及監管限制影響）。

另一個分法就係叫呢兩類分別做「全棧（full-stack）」同「輕棧（light-stack）」。全棧neobank 會自建或擁有核心銀行系統；輕棧（即淨前端）neobank 基本上係金融服務app，疊加喺其他銀行嘅牌照之上。隨住「銀行即服務」（BaaS，Banking-as-a-Service）供應商興起，前端這種模式愈來愈普遍——fintech初創可以直接接駁API平台，現成用到一大堆銀行功能。咁就令好多針對小眾客群（niche）嘅neobank湧現——針對特定社群或需要——每間都唔需要由零開始申請完整銀行牌照。

值得一提，有啲neobank會由一個模式轉型去另一個。例如Revolut 一開始只係純前端app（一間電子貨幣機構），之後先後喺多個國家攞到銀行牌照，逐步變成全棧平台。喺美國，SoFi（一間網上借貸加數碼銀行公司）係2022年透過收購一間細銀行攞到銀行特許執照，由純fintech平台變成受規管銀行。所以兩者界線有時會愈來愈模糊。但識分呢兩個原型好重要：一係「我哋由零開始建一間新銀行」，一係「我哋整咗個好正app，再同銀行配合做後台」。

4. 為何Neobank會出現——歷史背景同推動力

Neobank 係喺2000年代尾至2010年代，由一連串原因促成：科技創新、消費者期望轉變、對傳統銀行失望同監管機構鼓勵金融新玩家。

2008年金融危機後信任缺口：2008年環球金融危機重創公眾對傳統銀行嘅信心。當時大銀行要集中火力修補資產負債表及應付新監管要求，消費者就對高昂嘅費用差劣嘅服務愈來愈不滿。有啲地方嘅監管機構都想增加行業競爭，避免「大到不能倒」同時推動創新。例如英國2010年之後推行改革，令新銀行攞牌易咗，歐盟亦推出咗開放銀行政策（例如下文提及嘅PSD2）。咁就為初創公司由頭想像銀行業務創造咗機會。

科技進步：2000年代尾、2010年代，智能手機爆發，高速流動上網同雲端運算都興起，靠app提供服務突然變得可行兼規模化。fintech創業者發現，其實銀行服務都可以好似音樂、購物一樣，喺手機上做到。用雲端建立銀行平台成本只係傳統分行嘅一小部分。API等技術，方便同其他服務供應商整合（例如KYC認證、支付網絡）。網絡安全愈嚟愈好，大家對管理數碼資產信心提升。呢啲基建降低咗新進入者門檻——細型初創只需一個app，加上第三方銀行後台，就可以出到接近銀行級別嘅服務，無需傳統銀行咁大嘅IT隊。

消費者期望轉變：新一代客戶（千禧世代、Gen Z）生於app同即時服務年代，對銀行都有相同要求。佢哋願意用手機搞掂晒日常野，唔想返分行。佢哋重視24/7隨時可用、即時更新、同個人化體驗。傳統銀行唔少時候做唔到，例如線上界面過時、只係朝九晚五。Neobank 抓緊機會，主攻手機優先、對年輕客戶/數碼原居民友善嘅體驗。好似消費推送寫emoji、in-app理財圖表、一分鐘開戶，深得覺得傳統銀行難用/唔user-friendly嘅人鍾意。

Fintech熱潮同投資：2010年代，fintech start-up潮爆發，覆蓋支付、借貸、個人財務管理等。創投資金大量流入，驅動多個大計劃（例如搞新銀行）。創業者認為可以「拆散」銀行業務——例如淨係做好無手續費預付卡——甚至重新打造一個以用戶為中心嘅銀行模式。早期數碼金融app（例如Paypal，或者非洲肯尼亞M-Pesa）嘅成功證明「非傳統玩家」都可以處理大量金錢。越多投資湧入新銀行，增強推廣力度，等佢哋好快就過百萬用戶，傳統銀行做十年都未必得。

監管改革同開放銀行：有啲地區監管機構主動協助neobank發展。例如歐洲推行咗PSD2（修訂支付服務指令），要求銀行開放API俾第三方接入，fintech可以建立基於銀行數據嘅新服務。咁就令neobank可以幫客戶集合其他銀行賬戶資料，平衡競爭同帶動更多創新。英國嘅FCA/PRA 2014年左右推出咗更友善嘅申牌制度，有好多英國neobank就咁誕生。澳洲、香港政府喺2018–2019年破天荒發新數碼銀行牌，公開推行創新。呢啲監管支持降低咗有能力嘅科技初創加入銀行市場嘅障礙。

服務未獲重視客群：好多neobank發現傳統銀行唔理會某啲群體——年輕人、freelance、自僱小企，或者壟斷市場裡嘅國家人士。例如巴西Nubank於2013年成立，原因係巴西傳統銀行收費貴仲服務差；好多巴西年青人轉投Nubank，用其冇手續費的app信用卡，搞到Nubank好快成為拉美最大neobank。好多野都係針對「未充分服務」或對現有銀行不滿意嘅用戶，提供簡單開戶（唔需要亂咁多文件或有最低結餘）同包容功能。切中痛點後，用戶迅速增長。2018年，全球neobank市場估值大約$186億美元，預計以驚人46%複合增長率（CAGR）爆升，到2026年逼近$4,000億美元——說明市場需求勁大。

總結，neobank源自對傳統機構失信、流動科技普及、新消費需求同監管新政策。啲公司最初係一種煥然一新的選擇：易過whatsapp、收費透明、功能新穎。於2015–2022年fintech “爆發期”特別明顯，每年全球有幾十間新neobank面世。雖然唔係全部都發展得好，但成功嗰批到2020年代中期已攞到三億客戶以上，證明佢哋確實切合市場所需。

5. Neobank對消費者同企業嘅好處與壞處

一如所有創新，neobank都有自己獨特嘅優點同缺點。下面係用戶（以及使用或合作嘅企業）角度睇有乜好/唔好：

好處（優點）：

方便同24/7可用：neobank俾你隨時隨地用手機或電腦做銀行業務。唔使返分行——開戶、過數、繳費等等，乜都得。全天候服務對於忙碌或者遠離實體銀行分行嘅人特別有幫助。企業主亦可以隨時處理資金，唔需要迎合銀行營業時間。

手續費低、回報更好：因為運作成本較低，neobank一般都唔收戶口月費，透支或外幣手續費都較平。儲蓄利率比傳統銀行吸引。對消費者嚟講，每年可以慳唔少。對小企或自由工作者，neobank可以減低銀行成本（例如：免費商業戶口、低外幣匯費付款等）。

界面易用友善：neobank app設計乾淨易明，好易上手。通常帶有個人理財工具，例如消費類別劃分、預算功能、目標儲蓄分帳（pots）。交易即時推送通報，幫用戶掌握資金狀況。重視用戶體驗令傳統網上銀行難用/嚇人嘅地方變得輕鬆。

創新功能：neobank率先推出好多新功能，之後傳統銀行先至抄。例如即時消費提示、組合式預算圖表、自動儲蓄規則（round-up）、虛擬卡網購、app內即凍結/解凍卡。有啲仲推獨特優惠，例如回贈、加密貨幣買賣（後面再講）、提早人工發放等。對企業來說，有啲neobank仲提供即時開單、員工費用管理、會計軟件對接等數碼儀表板功能。

易開戶、上手快：通常註冊neobank戶口好快搞掂。你只需…download the app, enter your info, upload ID documents, and often get an account ready to use within minutes (after identity verification). There’s no tedious paperwork. This is a boon for consumers who want a hassle-free experience. For entrepreneurs and startups, being able to open a business account online without a lengthy vetting process is extremely convenient, speeding up time to start operating.

下載應用程式，輸入你的資料，上載身份證明文件，通常在完成身份認證後，幾分鐘就可以開到戶口並且即時使用，完全唔使經過繁複手續。對於追求簡單方便嘅用戶嚟講，呢個係一大福音。至於創業人士和初創公司，可以喺網上快速開到商業戶口，唔需要經歷長時間審批，非常方便，加快啟動業務嘅進度。

Financial Inclusion: Neobanks have lowered barriers to banking for many. People who might have been turned away by traditional banks (due to no credit history, lower income, or lack of local branches in their area) find neobanks more accessible. Many neobanks don’t require a minimum balance and have straightforward requirements, welcoming segments like students, gig economy workers, or the previously unbanked. By focusing on mobile delivery, neobanks can reach remote or underserved areas as long as there’s internet connectivity. In emerging markets, neobanks and fintech apps have brought millions into the formal financial system for the first time.

普及金融：虛擬銀行為好多用戶降低咗使用銀行服務嘅門檻。一啲以往會被傳統銀行拒諸門外嘅人，例如冇信貸記錄、收入較低、或者住喺冇銀行分行嘅地區，都可以輕易用到虛擬銀行。好多虛擬銀行都唔需要最低結餘，開戶條件簡單，學生、Freelancer同之前冇用過銀行服務嘅人都可以輕鬆申請。由於主要以手機操作，只要有網絡，虛擬銀行就可以覆蓋偏遠或服務不足地區。喺新興市場，虛擬銀行同金融科技App令到數以百萬計人首次進入正式金融體系。

Transparency and Control: Generally, neobanks pride themselves on transparent pricing and easy control over your finances. Apps often show clearly any fees before you confirm a transaction. You can often self-service tasks that would require contacting support at a traditional bank – for example, adjusting your card’s spending limits, or categorizing transactions. This empowers users to feel more in control of their money, and reduces the frustration of dealing with bank bureaucracy.

透明同自主權：一般嚟講，虛擬銀行好重視收費透明同容易管理自己嘅財務。App會清楚顯示所有收費，確保你確認交易前已經一清二楚。好多過去喺傳統銀行要聯絡客服先做到嘅嘢，都可以自己喺App搞掂，例如設定卡消費限額、分類交易紀錄等等。用戶可以感受到自己對財務嘅控制力大增，亦減少咗面對銀行繁複手續嘅煩惱。

Cons (Drawbacks):

Limited Product Range (at least initially): Most neobanks started with a narrow offering – perhaps just checking accounts and debit cards. Many still do not offer complex products like mortgages, extensive loan options, or investment products (unless through third parties). So if you need a full suite of financial services under one roof, a neobank might not (yet) fulfill all those needs. Some neobanks have added offerings over time or partnered for things like insurance or loans, but it can lead to a fragmented experience when third parties are involved. Businesses might find neobanks lacking in credit facilities or merchant services that a traditional bank could provide.

產品選擇有限（起步時尤其明顯）：大部分虛擬銀行一開始都只提供基本如活期戶口或扣賬卡等有限選擇。到而家都仲未必有樓按、各類貸款或投資產品（除非靠第三方）。如果你想一站式處理所有金融需要，虛擬銀行未必可以滿足曬所有需求。有啲虛擬銀行之後有加多啲產品，或者夥拍其他公司提供保險及貸款服務，但涉及第三方嘅時候，用戶體驗可能會覺得支離破碎。對企業用戶嚟講，虛擬銀行好多時無法提供傳統銀行嘅一啲信貸或商戶服務。

No Physical Presence – Lack of Personal Touch: The absence of branches is a double-edged sword. While many enjoy not needing them, some customers do value being able to walk into a bank and speak to someone, especially for complex issues or large transactions. With neobanks, support is via chat, email, or phone. For those uncomfortable with digital interfaces or who prefer face-to-face service, neobanks can feel impersonal. Handling certain things (like notarizing documents, cash deposits, or simply getting in-person financial advice) is not possible at a neobank. This can be a drawback for people who aren’t tech-savvy or who have complicated banking needs. Businesses that handle a lot of cash, for example, might struggle with a bank that has no branch to deposit cash (though some neobanks partner with retail stores or ATM networks to facilitate cash deposits, usually for a fee).

無實體分行－欠缺人情味：冇分行對用戶來講有好有唔好。有啲人覺得方便，但亦有唔少客戶重視可以行入銀行分行，同真人傾解比較複雜嘅問題或者大額交易。虛擬銀行嘅支援主要透過聊天、電郵或者電話處理。對唔慣用數碼產品，或想面對面傾嘅人嚟講，虛擬銀行會覺得好無人情味。有啲事（例如文件公證、現金存款、或者單純想搵理財顧問傾下）係虛擬銀行根本做唔到。對於唔太識科技或需要複雜銀行服務嘅人嚟講最大感受。以企業戶為例，如果日常要處理現金，冇分行存錢會好唔方便（雖然有部分虛擬銀行會同零售商或者ATM合作，提供現金存款服務，但通常都要收費）。

Trust and Brand Strength: Established banks have been around for decades (or centuries) and have built trust (even if begrudging) that they will safeguard money. Neobanks are relatively new and some customers might be hesitant to keep large sums or salary deposits in a fintech-run bank. While many neobanks do insure deposits (either directly or via partner banks), the lack of a long track record can make people nervous, especially older customers. High-profile failures of a few fintechs in the past can also fuel caution. In times of financial uncertainty, consumers might retreat to the perceived safety of big traditional banks. So, a neobank has to overcome the challenge of appearing reliable despite its youth. This is improving as some neobanks have now operated for years and gained millions of users without issues, but the trust gap still exists for a segment of users.

信譽同品牌力量：傳統銀行存在咗幾十年甚至幾百年，建立咗一定信心（即使係被逼接受），大家覺得錢擺喺度有保障。虛擬銀行相對新，有啲客戶會對將大量金錢或者出糧戶口交比金融科技公司有戒心。雖然好多虛擬銀行都會為存款提供保障（直接或透過合作銀行），但歷史短令到一啲人，尤其年長客戶唔放心。過去亦有一啲FinTech失敗嘅例子，加劇咗大家嘅戒心。經濟不穩時，消費者會本能地走返去傳統大銀行尋求安全感。所以，虛擬銀行要克服「未夠資深就唔可靠」呢個形象。雖然一啲虛擬銀行營運幾年已經無重大問題兼有數以百萬用戶，信任鴻溝仍然存在。

Regulatory Grey Areas & Deposit Insurance Concerns: If a neobank is not a licensed bank itself, customers must understand who actually holds their money. In the U.S., for example, your Chime or Revolut USD account is actually held by a partner bank where it’s FDIC-insured. If the neobank’s app has a long outage or the fintech goes under, your money should still be safe at the partner bank, but the process to access it might be convoluted. In some cases, neobank users might not have full clarity on deposit protection – especially with crypto-related accounts (not government-insured) or if the neobank operates in a lightly regulated space. Neobanks also face evolving regulations; changes or crackdowns can impact their services quickly (e.g., a regulator might suddenly forbid a certain feature). In short, the regulatory setup can be complex, and while they operate legally, customers need to be aware of how their money is protected.

監管灰色地帶及存款保障疑慮：如果虛擬銀行本身冇銀行牌照，用戶必須清楚，到底實際持有你錢嘅係邊個。例如美國Chime或者Revolut嘅美元戶口，其實錢係擺喺合作銀行，受FDIC保障。如果虛擬銀行App長時間無法登入，或者FinTech企業倒閉，你嘅錢理論上都仍然安全，但取回過程可能好繁複。有啲情況用戶可能唔十分清楚存款嘅保障範圍，特別係涉及加密貨幣（並非政府保險）或者處於監管乏力地區。虛擬銀行亦要面對不斷變化嘅監管環境，一旦政策突然收緊（例如即時禁止某啲功能），服務都會受影響。總括而言，相關監管框架比較複雜，雖然都係合法經營，但用戶要了解自己嘅資金實際受到點樣保障。

Customer Service and Problem Resolution: While many neobanks offer quick in-app chat support, some users have complained about difficulties in resolving issues that fall outside the norm. For example, disputing a transaction, dealing with fraud on your account, or other exceptional scenarios can be stressful without a physical branch to escalate to. Some neobanks have small support teams relative to their user base, leading to slow response times during peak issues. If your account gets mistakenly flagged for fraud (e.g., automated systems lock you out), getting it unlocked can take time when you can’t just visit a branch with your ID. This isn’t to say traditional banks are models of great service universally, but the human touch in complex problem resolution can be lacking in digital-only banks.

客戶服務同解決問題：唔少虛擬銀行都可以透過App即時對話搵到支援，但有啲較複雜或例外情況，解決上面會好困難。例如爭議交易、遭遇賬戶詐騙，冇分行就好難升級處理，變成壓力來源。有啲虛擬銀行相對用戶數量，支援團隊唔夠大，繁忙時回覆速度慢。如果賬戶誤標為欺詐（例如自動系統鎖咗你戶口），要解封比傳統銀行更加費時，因為你無得行去分行現身證明。唔代表傳統銀行一定完美，但遇到需要人手介入解難情況時，虛擬銀行真係有人手不足。

Reliance on Technology – Downtime Risks: Because neobanks are purely digital, if their app or website goes down due to a technical glitch, customers have no alternative way to access services during that outage. Traditional banks also have outages, but one could still withdraw cash from an ATM or visit a branch in some cases. With neobanks, app downtime means an inability to transact, which can be frustrating or even financially damaging if it occurs at a bad time. Similarly, any cyber-attack or data breach could temporarily halt services, though to their credit neobanks typically use very robust security measures (often more modern than some old banks). In essence, using a neobank means you’re highly reliant on your phone, internet, and the bank’s servers being up.

科技依賴－停機風險：虛擬銀行全部數碼化，如果App或者網站因技術問題停擺，用戶完全冇其他方法可以處理銀行業務。傳統銀行都會出現停機，不過用戶多數都仲可以喺ATM取現金或者分行辦事。虛擬銀行一旦App死咗，即係完全做唔到任何交易，喺緊急或者重要時刻可能造成困擾甚至財務損失。同時，如果遇上網絡攻擊或數據外洩，都可能令服務暫停。雖然虛擬銀行大多用好新、好安全嘅系統，總括嚟講，使用虛擬銀行即係極度依賴自己部手機、網絡同App定時正常運作。

For businesses, many of the above points apply similarly. A small business owner might love the low fees and easy invoicing of a neobank’s business account, but they might miss having a dedicated relationship manager or the ability to walk into a bank to discuss a loan. A startup might use a neobank for quick account setup, but later as it scales, it may need additional services (like international trade finance or large credit lines) that neobanks don’t provide, forcing a switch to a traditional bank.

對企業嚟講，上述大部分情況都一樣適用。細公司老闆會欣賞虛擬銀行商業戶口嘅低手續費同方便開單，但可能會掛住有人跟進、可以walk-in分行申請貸款嘅經歷。創業公司開戶方便，不過公司做大咗，可能需要國際貿易金融、大額信貸嗰啲服務，虛擬銀行唔提供，最終都要轉返傳統銀行。

In weighing pros and cons, it often comes down to personal preference and needs. Neobanks excel in convenience, cost, and innovation; traditional banks still win on breadth of services and sometimes that tangible reassurance. Many people use a hybrid approach – keeping a neobank account for daily spending and a traditional bank for other needs. The good news is, competition from neobanks has pushed many incumbent banks to improve their own digital offerings and reduce fees, which benefits all consumers.

權衡利弊之下，最終都係睇個人需要同喜好。虛擬銀行最大的優勢係方便、平、創新；傳統銀行則勝在服務範圍廣、防範感覺強。好多用戶都雙線發展：日常消費用虛擬銀行，其他需要用傳統銀行。好消息係，虛擬銀行競爭令傳統銀行都積極提升數碼服務同減低收費，最終令所有消費者受惠。

6. Neobanks and Crypto – How & Why Neobanks Integrated Cryptocurrency

Given the tech-forward nature of neobanks, it was perhaps inevitable that they would intersect with the world of cryptocurrencies. In the past few years, an increasing number of neobanks have started offering crypto-related services – from in-app trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum, to supporting stablecoins or even exploring their own digital tokens. Here’s how and why this integration with crypto has come about:

鑑於虛擬銀行本身走科技前端路線，佢地遲早都會同加密貨幣世界有交錯。近年愈來愈多虛擬銀行開始推出同加密貨幣有關嘅服務——由App即時買賣比特幣、以太幣，到支援穩定幣、甚至考慮發行自家數碼代幣。以下講下佢地點樣接入加密貨幣同背後原因：

How Neobanks Offer Crypto Services:

Most neobanks enter the crypto space by enabling their users to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly within the banking app. This typically takes the form of a crypto trading feature, where a user can convert a portion of their fiat balance (e.g., dollars or euros) into Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other coins, and vice versa. For example, European neobank N26 launched “N26 Crypto” in late 2022, allowing users to trade nearly 200 cryptocurrencies right from the N26 app. Behind the scenes, N26 partnered with an established crypto exchange (Bitpanda) to handle execution and custody of the coins – the user sees a seamless experience in one app, but Bitpanda provides the crypto liquidity and wallet infrastructure. Similarly, Revolut has offered crypto trading since as early as 2017; Revolut started with just a few coins and expanded over time, effectively acting as a brokerage where users can get exposure to crypto.

多數虛擬銀行切入加密貨幣市場，方式係俾用戶可以直接喺銀行App內買賣同持有加密貨幣。通常形式係加密貨幣交易功能，用戶可以將部分法定貨幣（例如美元、歐元）兌換成比特幣、以太幣或其他幣，亦可以返轉頭。例如，歐洲虛擬銀行N26喺2022年底推出N26 Crypto功能，用戶可以直接喺N26 App交易近200種不同加密貨幣。背後其實N26係同加密貨幣交易所Bitpanda合作，處理實際交易同幣託管，用戶體驗一App搞掂晒，但真正嘅流動性同錢包基建就係Bitpanda負責。同樣，Revolut自2017年開始都提供加密貨幣交易，最初得幾隻幣，之後越加越多，等用戶可以好似透過券商咁直接買賣加密資產。

Neobanks typically do not become full-blown crypto exchanges themselves; instead, they integrate via partnerships or in-house teams using third-party APIs. They add a “Crypto” or “Trading” section in their app where users can see their crypto balances alongside their fiat balances, making it easy to manage both in one place. Transactions are usually instant, with fees clearly displayed (e.g., N26 charges around 1.5% for Bitcoin trades). Some neobanks even allow scheduled buys or rounding up card purchases into crypto (similar to saving spare change, but into Bitcoin). Another service some offer is crypto rewards – for instance, offering cashback in Bitcoin instead of points. Neobank ZenGo (which is crypto-focused) provides a debit card that gives cashback in crypto. In the U.S., fintech app Current experimented with giving users yield by partnering with decentralized finance (though that was a pilot).

虛擬銀行大多唔會自己變成全面加密幣交易所，通常係同第三方平台合作或者用API整合，有啲會有自己少量團隊開發。佢地通常會喺App內開個「加密貨幣」或「交易」版面，法幣、加密資產一齊清楚睇齊，方便統一管理。交易通常即時完成，收費透明（例如N26交易比特幣收約1.5%手續費）。有啲虛擬銀行甚至支援定期自動買入，或者信用卡消費「找數尾數」自動轉做比特幣（類似儲零錢但儲入加密幣）。有啲更提供加密貨幣獎賞，比如用比特幣代替積分回贈。專注加密貨幣嘅虛擬銀行ZenGo，有出Crypto debit card，消費都可以收到加密貨幣回贈。美國FinTech應用程式Current亦試驗過聯同去中心化金融平台做結構性收益（雖然只係試驗階段）。

Beyond trading, a few neobanks haveexplored supporting stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies. In 2023, reports emerged that Revolut was considering launching its own stablecoin tied to the value of a fiat currency. While as of this writing Revolut hasn’t released a stablecoin, the fact that a major neobank is exploring it underscores the link-up: a stablecoin issued by a neobank could allow instant global transfers among its users, or integration into crypto payment networks. Some neobanks already let users hold and send stablecoins; for example, Bankera (a smaller European digital bank) offers crypto wallets with stablecoin support.

探索支援穩定幣——即係與法幣掛鉤嘅加密貨幣。2023年有報道指出，Revolut 考慮推出屬於自己的穩定幣，並與某種法定貨幣掛鉤。雖然截至目前為止，Revolut 都未有推出任何穩定幣，但咁大間虛擬銀行都考慮涉足呢方面，其實反映出當中嘅連結：由虛擬銀行發行嘅穩定幣可以令用戶之間即時全球轉賬，或者可以同加密支付網絡整合。有啲虛擬銀行其實已經可以等用戶持有同發送穩定幣；例如 Bankera（歐洲一間較細嘅數碼銀行）就有提供支援穩定幣嘅加密貨幣錢包。

Why Neobanks Are Embracing Crypto:

點解虛擬銀行搶先擁抱加密貨幣：

Several factors are driving neobanks to integrate crypto services:

有幾個主要因素推動虛擬銀行整合加密貨幣服務：

Customer Demand and Demographics: The user base of neobanks skews younger and more tech-savvy – the very demographic that is most interested in crypto investing. These customers were likely going to crypto exchanges or apps anyway. By offering crypto directly, neobanks keep those users engaged in their ecosystem and meet their needs. For instance, Bunq, a Dutch neobank, noted strong customer demand for crypto investments, which prompted it to add crypto trading in 2023 via a partnership with Kraken. Essentially, neobanks don’t want to risk users leaving their app to use a crypto platform; offering it in-app provides convenience (and retains users).

客戶需求同用戶族群：虛擬銀行嘅用戶群普遍較年輕，亦都比較熟悉科技——呢類人正正係最關注加密貨幣投資嗰班人。啲用戶本身都可能會去其他加密貨幣平台或者應用程式。如果虛擬銀行直接加入加密功能，就可以將用戶留喺自己生態圈裡面，同時滿足佢地需求。例如荷蘭虛擬銀行 Bunq，就發現客戶對投資加密貨幣有強烈需求，於是在2023年同 Kraken 合作，加入咗加密貨幣交易。簡單嚟講，虛擬銀行唔想俾啲用戶走咗去用其他加密 app，自己 app 內提供又方便又可以黏住啲客。

New Revenue Streams: Many neobanks are still on the path to profitability and are looking for additional revenue sources. Crypto trading can be lucrative, as exchanges typically earn through trading fees or spreads. By enabling crypto buying/selling, neobanks can earn a fee on each trade. For example, N26 shares revenue with Bitpanda for trades made in its app. In the case of Revolut, crypto trading turned into a significant revenue contributor during boom times – Revolut’s “Wealth” division (which includes crypto trading) saw revenues grow 300% year-on-year, largely driven by crypto activity. In 2024, Revolut’s profits surged, with a substantial boost from crypto exchange use by its customers. This demonstrates that offering crypto helped some neobanks monetize their user base more effectively (especially during crypto bull markets when trading volumes are high).

新收入來源：好多虛擬銀行都未搵到穩定盈利，正積極搵新嘅收入渠道。加密貨幣交易可以帶嚟高利潤，因為交易平台一般都會收手續費或者賺價差。只要開放買賣加密貨幣，虛擬銀行每單交易都可以抽佣。例如 N26 就會分收喺 app 做加密交易所產生嘅收益同 Bitpanda。Revolut 情況下，加密貨幣交易喺牛市時期轉成咗主要收入來源——旗下「Wealth」部門收入按年增加咗三倍，主要都係加密交易帶動。去到2024年，Revolut利潤急升，亦都多得客戶用佢哋做加密貨幣交易。可見提供加密服務確實幫到啲虛擬銀行好好變現用戶基礎（尤其係牛市交易量高時期）。

Differentiation and Competitive Edge: As more fintech apps crowd the market, offering crypto is a way for a neobank to differentiate its product. A few years ago, having crypto functionality was novel and could attract media attention and early adopters. Even today, not all neobanks provide crypto services – so those that do can market themselves as forward-thinking or a “one-stop-shop” for finance. It aligns with the innovative brand image that neobanks cultivate. For example, Wirex is a fintech that started as a crypto-friendly digital account and gained users by targeting crypto enthusiasts who wanted a debit card to spend their crypto.

差異化同競爭優勢：金融科技 app 愈來愈多，提供加密服務就成為虛擬銀行突圍嘅方法。幾年前，加密貨幣功能係新鮮事，可以吸納到早期用戶同媒體目光。就算去到今日，都唔係每間虛擬銀行有加密服務——有啲有加密服務嘅就可以推自己做前瞻、創新一站式理財平台形象。呢個同虛擬銀行標榜創新形象好夾。例如 Wirex 一開始定位就係 crypto 友好型數碼賬戶，主攻想用 debit card 消費加密資產嘅加密迷。

Enhancing User Experience (All-in-One Finance App): From a user’s perspective, it’s inconvenient to manage many separate apps for different financial needs. Neobanks are in a race to become the primary financial app for their customers. Adding crypto means users can see their Bitcoin alongside their bank balance, trade seamlessly, and even cash out crypto gains back to fiat in the same app. This convenience is highly valued. For instance, with N26’s integration, when users sell crypto it goes straight back into their bank account balance – no need to transfer money from an external exchange back to your bank. Such tight integration simplifies crypto investing for newcomers who might be intimidated by standalone crypto exchanges.

提升用戶體驗（All-in-One 財務 APP）：由用戶角度嚟睇，要管理好多唔同 app 處理唔同金融需要好唔方便。虛擬銀行就係鬥快成為你主力理財 app。如果 app 裡面加埋加密貨幣功能，客戶可以同一個介面睇埋自己銀行結餘同比特幣，直接買賣，一有盈利用同一個 app 兌返法幣。呢種方便好受歡迎。例如 N26 錢包賣加密貨幣時，收益直接入戶口結餘，唔洗額外過錢返銀行。咁嘅緊密整合，對啲玩開傳統銀行但新接觸加密貨幣嘅人嚟講，投資加密貨幣變得容易好多。

Bridge Between Traditional Money and Digital Assets: Neobanks often position themselves as bridging old and new financial systems. Crypto is an emerging asset class; by integrating it, neobanks strengthen their role as the bridge for users to seamlessly move between fiat and crypto. They handle the complex parts (custody, compliance) via partners, and present a friendly interface to the user. This is especially powerful for enabling things like cross-border remittances using crypto (senders convert fiat to crypto, move it, recipient converts back – all within one app). Some neobanks in developing markets see crypto as a way to offer cheaper international transfers or hedge against local currency inflation using stablecoins.

連接傳統金錢同數位資產：虛擬銀行成日自居係新舊金融系統之間嘅橋樑。加密貨幣而家係新興資產類別，虛擬銀行整合之後，更加鞏固咗自己成為用戶轉換法幣同加密貨幣嘅中介角色。複雜嘢（託管、合規）交俾合作夥伴處理，用戶用起上嚟就親民得多。特別係做跨境匯款嗰類用途好實用——發送者用法幣換加密貨幣，中間可以移動，收款人再轉返法定貨幣，全程都可以喺一個 app 度做。有啲發展中國家虛擬銀行，會用穩定幣做抗通脹或者更平國際過數嘅方案。

Future-Proofing and Innovation: From a strategic standpoint, neobanks don’t want to be left behind as financial technology evolves. Crypto and blockchain innovations like decentralized finance could disrupt banking further. By getting involved early, neobanks can learn and adapt. Some are experimenting beyond just trading: a few neobanks have looked at giving crypto custody solutions (safekeeping of digital assets) or enabling customers to earn yield on crypto holdings through partnerships. While regulatory uncertainty still limits some of these offerings, neobanks are preparing for a world where digital assets might become a routine part of finance.

未來部署同持續創新：從策略角度睇，虛擬銀行唔想追唔上金融科技變革。加密貨幣、區塊鏈－尤其係 DeFi－都有潛力顛覆傳統銀行。愈早參與，虛擬銀行愈快可以學識同調整。有啲銀行仲試緊唔止做交易，包括提供加密貨幣託管（即係幫客安全存放數字資產），或者同夥伴合作俾客賺埋加密貨幣存款息。雖然法規仲有唔明朗，但佢哋已經為金融日常化數位資產嘅世界做緊準備。

Examples of Neobank Crypto Offerings: 虛擬銀行提供加密貨幣服務例子：

Revolut: One of the first movers, it started offering crypto trading in 2017. Revolut users can buy, hold, and sell dozens of cryptocurrencies. While initially users couldn’t withdraw crypto to external wallets (it was more like trading IOUs), Revolut has since allowed certain crypto withdrawals. In 2023, Revolut even launched its own crypto exchange and was exploring creating a Revolut stablecoin. Crypto trading is cited as a big contributor to Revolut’s recent revenue growth.

Revolut：屬於最早推動加密貨幣交易嘅虛擬銀行之一，2017年已經開始做。Revolut 用戶可以買、持有、賣幾十款加密貨幣。一開始用戶唔可以轉出加密貨幣去外部錢包（即係買賣就似 IOU），但而家部分貨幣可以提現。2023年，Revolut 仲起埋自己嘅加密貨幣交易所，並且研究發行 Revolut 穩定幣。加密交易最近都係 Revolut 收入增長嘅大功臣。

N26: Launched N26 Crypto in partnership with Bitpanda in 2022. It started in Austria and rolled out to more European markets, allowing easy trading of ~100 tokens. N26 emphasized the benefit that users don’t need a separate account – it’s all integrated.

N26：2022 年同 Bitpanda 合作推出 N26 Crypto，最初喺奧地利開始，之後陸續擴展到歐洲其他市場，輕鬆交易近百款加密資產。N26 強調用戶無需額外開戶，全部功能一齊整合。

Bunq: In 2023, Bunq partnered with U.S.-based exchange Kraken to offer crypto investments to its European users. Bunq integrated Kraken’s crypto-as-a-service toolkit so that users could open a crypto account “in seconds” and trade 20+ coins inside the Bunq app. This move came alongside Kraken launching a broader service to enable banks/fintechs to provide crypto to clients.

Bunq：2023 年，Bunq 同美國交易所 Kraken 合作，俾歐洲用戶都可以投資加密貨幣。Bunq 將 Kraken 嘅 Crypto-as-a-Service 技術整合落自己 app，等用戶「幾秒鐘」就開戶，app 內交易超過二十款幣。呢個舉動都配合 Kraken 推廣加密服務俾其他銀行同金融科技公司。

Cash App: While not a bank in the traditional sense (it’s a payment app with banking features), Cash App (by Block, Inc.) has been a major player in bringing Bitcoin to mainstream audiences in the US. It allowed Bitcoin buying/selling since 2018 and even supports Bitcoin Lightning Network payments now. Many consider Cash App’s crypto offering a template that neobanks followed.

Cash App：雖然唔算傳統意義上嘅銀行（係一個帶銀行功能嘅支付 app），Cash App（Block, Inc. 出品）曾經係推動比特幣普及化喺美國主流消費者的重要推手。2018 年容許買賣比特幣，依家仲支持 Bitcoin Lightning Network。唔少人都認為 Cash App 嘅加密貨幣功能其實成為虛擬銀行後繼模仿嘅範本。

PayPal: Again, not a neobank per se, but worth mentioning – PayPal (which has a huge digital finance user base) enabled crypto buying/selling in 2020 and in 2023 launched its own U.S. dollar stablecoin (PYUSD). This highlights the trend of major fintech platforms diving into crypto.

PayPal：同樣唔算虛擬銀行，但值得一提——PayPal（有大量數碼金融客戶）2020 年加咗買賣加密貨幣功能，2023 年更推出自己嘅美金穩定幣（PYUSD）。見得到大型 fintech 平台都入局加密貨幣。

Xapo Bank: An interesting case, Xapo was originally a Bitcoin wallet provider that evolved into a fully licensed private neobank. It now offers USD and EUR accounts and also crypto services – even paying interest on deposits in either USD or stablecoins. It’s an example of a crypto-native company entering banking, which is the flip side of banks entering crypto.

Xapo Bank：特別一例。Xapo 初頭做比特幣錢包起家，後來發展成為有正牌照嘅私人虛擬銀行。依家有美金同歐元戶口，又有加密貨幣服務——存美金定穩定幣都收息。係一個加密原生公司逆向成為銀行嘅例子，對比銀行切入加密貨幣市場。

Overall, the integration of crypto into neobanking is still unfolding. Not every neobank has embraced crypto (some are cautious due to regulatory issues or skepticism – for instance, UK’s Starling Bank took a strict stance against crypto transactions citing fraud concerns). But a growing number see it as aligned with their digital innovation mission. They are effectively becoming crypto-friendly banks, aiming to be the place a user manages both old money and new money. This trend also reflects broader convergence in fintech: exchanges like Coinbase are adding bank-like features (debit cards, direct deposit), while neobanks add exchange-like features. The endgame could be a unified financial super-app where crypto is just another part of one’s portfolio – and neobanks are positioning to be that app.

總括而言，加密貨幣同虛擬銀行進一步融合仲繼續進行中。唔係所有虛擬銀行都有 embrace 加密貨幣（部分因為監管規定或者懷疑態度好審慎——例如英國 Starling Bank 就因為擔心詐騙嚴格限制加密相關交易）。但愈來愈多銀行覺得呢一步同數碼革新使命一致，正積極變成支持加密嘅數碼銀行，目標係等用戶將「舊錢」同「新錢」一齊管理。呢個大趨勢都反映 fintech 越趨融合：Coinbase 類交易所加銀行特色（debit card‧直接存款），虛擬銀行就加返交易所功能。最終有機會出現一個統一金融超級 app，將加密貨幣當 portfolio 嘅其中一環——虛擬銀行而家就係爭住做呢個 app。

7. Neobank–Crypto Partnerships – Notable Examples

7. 虛擬銀行同加密平台合作——值得留意例子

As neobanks venture into crypto, many have formed partnerships with established crypto companies to leverage each other’s strengths. These collaborations allow neobanks to offer crypto services without having to build secure trading platforms from scratch, and they give crypto firms access to large user bases of fintech apps. Here are some notable partnerships between neobanks (or fintech banks) and crypto platforms:

隨住愈來愈多虛擬銀行入場發展加密貨幣業務，佢哋都會選擇同已有經驗嘅大型加密公司合作，取長補短。呢啲夥伴關係令虛擬銀行可以無需自己重新起個安全交易平台，都能夠提供加密服務，而加密公司就即刻對接 fintech app 嘅大量用戶。以下係部分值得留意嘅虛擬銀行（或金融科技銀行）同加密貨幣平台合作例子：

N26 and Bitpanda: One high-profile partnership is between German-origin neobank N26 and Austrian crypto exchange Bitpanda. Announced in 2022, this partnership powers N26’s in-app crypto trading feature. Bitpanda’s infrastructure handles trade execution and custody of assets, while N26 provides the interface and banking integration. This has enabled N26 to offer nearly 200 cryptocurrencies to its 8 million+ users without directly dealing with the complexities of crypto custody. It’s a symbiotic arrangement: N26 can expand its product offering (and earn commission on trades), and Bitpanda gains a large funnel of retail users trading crypto through a familiar bank app. This model has been successful enough that other fintech apps (like French app Lydia) also partnered with Bitpanda for offering crypto and stocks within their platforms.

N26 同 Bitpanda：好高調嘅合作例子係德國虛擬銀行 N26 同奧地利加密貨幣交易所 Bitpanda。2022 年官宣達成合作，Bitpanda 嘅基建負責交易同資產託管，N26 就提供用戶介面同銀行整合。所以用戶無需親自處理加密託管煩惱，就可以喺 N26 用 app 交易接近 200 種加密貨幣。N26 可以擴大產品線（亦可抽佣），Bitpanda 就因户口易開大量新客用開銀行 app 掂足加密貨幣。呢個共生模式夠成功，之後連法國 fintech app Lydia 都同 Bitpanda 合作，上架股票同加密貨幣交易。

Bunq and Kraken: In April 2025, Netherlands-based neobank Bunq revealed it teamed up with Kraken, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, to launch Bunq’s crypto service. Through this partnership, Bunq users in select European countries can create a crypto account almost instantly and trade 20+ major cryptocurrencies in-app. Kraken provided a Crypto-as-a-Service solution (called “Kraken Embed”) that Bunq integrated. This allowed Bunq to go live with crypto trading quickly, riding on Kraken’s secure trading engine and compliance framework. The partnership was mutually beneficial: Bunq met user

Bunq 同 Kraken：2025年4月，荷蘭虛擬銀行 Bunq 宣佈同全球最大規模嘅加密貨幣交易所之一 Kraken 合作，上線 Bunq 加密貨幣服務。呢個合作下，指定歐洲區嘅 Bunq 用戶可以幾乎即時開設加密賬戶，直接喺 app 內交易超過20種主流加密貨幣。Kraken 為 Bunq 提供「Crypto-as-a-Service」解決方案（名為「Kraken Embed」），等 Bunq 可以好快上線加密交易，借力 Kraken 穩陣嘅交易引擎同合規體系。呢個合作達到雙贏——Bunq 滿足咗用戶...Demand for crypto investments, and Kraken showcased its plug-and-play solution for fintechs with Bunq as a flagship example.
市場對加密貨幣投資的需求不斷增長，而Kraken就展示咗佢為金融科技公司提供嘅即插即用方案，其中Bunq就係佢地旗艦合作例子。

It’s worth noting Bunq’s positioning – they framed it as having “everything you need to save, spend and invest – including crypto – on one platform”.
值得留意Bunq嘅定位——佢哋聲稱平台提供「一切你儲蓄、消費同投資所需嘅功能——包括加密貨幣——全部集中喺一個平台。」

This indicates how central crypto has become in marketing a complete financial hub.
呢點反映咗而家加密貨幣已經成為打造全面金融平台時，非常核心嘅推廣元素。

Revolut and Paxos: Revolut initially did most of its crypto offering in-house, but there were reports that in the U.S. market Revolut partnered with Paxos (a regulated crypto brokerage API provider) to offer crypto trading in compliance with U.S. regulations.
Revolut同Paxos：Revolut一開始主要係自家做加密貨幣服務，但有報道指，喺美國市場，Revolut係同Paxos（受規管加密貨幣經紀API供應商）合作，以確保符合法規下提供加密貨幣交易。

Paxos provides the underlying liquidity and custody, while Revolut handles the UX.
Paxos負責後端流動性同資產託管，而Revolut就負責用戶體驗。

This wasn’t heavily marketed, as Revolut positions the feature as native, but partnerships like these are common behind the scenes.
呢啲合作計劃唔會太高調宣傳，因為Revolut將加密貨幣功能設計做原生功能。不過，其實類似嘅合作喺後台相當普遍。

Similarly, other U.S. fintechs like Wealthfront and Interactive Brokers partnered with Paxos to offer crypto.
同樣，美國其他金融科技公司如Wealthfront同Interactive Brokers都係同Paxos合作推出加密貨幣服務。

Chime and Crypto Exchanges: Chime (the U.S.’s largest neobank) hasn’t directly launched crypto trading, but it did allow connectivity with external crypto apps.
Chime同加密貨幣交易所：Chime（美國最大嘅純網上銀行）雖然未直接推出加密貨幣交易功能，但已經容許同第三方加密貨幣平台對接。

For instance, Chime users can link their accounts to Coinbase or Gemini to fund crypto purchases.
例如，Chime用戶可以連結帳戶到Coinbase或Gemini等平台，為加密貨幣購買注入資金。

In some sense, the partnership is indirect – via open banking APIs that let crypto exchanges verify Chime accounts for ACH transfers.
一定程度上，呢啲屬於間接合作——透過開放式銀行API，令加密貨幣交易所可以驗證Chime帳戶以進行ACH過數。

While not an official co-branded integration, it shows neobank and crypto platforms interlinking for user convenience.
雖然唔係官方聯名合作，但都反映純網銀同加密平台互相串連提供便利。

Visa and Crypto Rewards Fintechs: Several neobanks or fintech card programs have partnered with crypto platforms through Visa’s network.
Visa同加密貨幣獎賞金融科技：有唔少純網銀或金融科技信用卡計劃，經由Visa網絡同加密貨幣平台合作。

For example, Crypto.com and Coinbase launched their own Visa debit cards (letting users spend crypto via a card), which isn’t exactly a neobank partnership, but blurs lines between a crypto company and banking services.
例如，Crypto.com同Coinbase推出咗自家Visa扣帳卡（用戶可以用加密貨幣消費），雖然唔係典型純網銀合作，但已經模糊咗加密貨幣公司同銀行服務嘅界線。

There are also fintech credit cards that give rewards in Bitcoin (e.g., BlockFi’s card, or Gemini’s card), effectively acting like neobank offerings with crypto tie-ins, done in partnership with card issuers and crypto brokers.
仲有啲金融科技信用卡會用比特幣做返利（例如BlockFi 或 Gemini 卡），某程度已經等同有加密貨幣功能的純網銀產品，由發卡機構同加密貨幣經紀合作推出。

Traditional Banks’ Digital Arms and Crypto: We also see partnerships in cases where an incumbent bank’s digital-only spin-off integrates crypto.
傳統銀行數碼部門同加密貨幣：另外，都見到一些傳統銀行數碼平台同加密貨幣合作。

For example, Marcus (Goldman Sachs), while not offering crypto to retail, partnered with Coinbase to manage some of its operations and considered crypto offerings through its consumer app.
例如Marcus（高盛旗下），雖然唔直接對零售客戶提供加密貨幣，但同Coinbase合作管理部份業務，亦計劃過喺其消費者App推出加密貨幣功能。

In the Asia-Pacific context, Revolut partnered with Apollo in Singapore for crypto services compliance.
至於亞太地區，Revolut都有同新加坡Apollo合作以符合法規提供加密貨幣服務。

And in Australia, neobank Volt (before its closure) had explored partnerships with crypto exchanges to allow funds flow between accounts easily.
喺澳洲，純網銀Volt（結業前）都曾考慮同加密貨幣交易所合作，令資金可以輕鬆喺戶口之間流動。

These partnerships generally follow a pattern: the neobank provides the customer base and user interface, while the crypto firm provides the trading engine, liquidity, and regulatory compliance for crypto transactions.
呢啲合作通常有特定分工：純網銀負責用戶基礎同介面，加密貨幣公司提供交易引擎、流動性同法規合規。

This division of labor makes sense – each side sticks to its core competency.
咁樣分工其實非常合理，大家各自發揮優勢。

It’s similar to how many neobanks partner with banks for fiat services; here they partner with crypto specialists for digital assets.
好似以前純網銀會同傳統銀行合作處理法定貨幣服務，依家就換成同加密資產專家合作。

From the user’s perspective, these tie-ups mean they can activate crypto features with a few clicks, often agreeing to some terms from the partner (e.g., Bitpanda’s terms) but without ever leaving the neobank’s app.
對用戶嚟講，啲功能可以一鍵開通，雖然有時需要同加密夥伴（例如Bitpanda）同意部份條款，但全程唔洗離開純網銀App。

The integration is deep enough that it feels like one service.
整合得咁深入，好似用緊一個一體化平台咁。

For instance, in N26, your crypto portfolio is displayed right in the banking app interface, and you fund trades directly from your N26 account balance.
例如N26，你個加密貨幣組合都會直接喺銀行App內顯示，而且可即時由銀行戶口資金入市。

In Bunq’s case, they even prepared educational materials within the app to guide new crypto investors, showing a joint effort with Kraken to make the experience smooth and informed.
Bunq更加喺App內預備咗教學資源，協助新手投資者，顯示同Kraken合作一齊落力提供平滑、透明嘅用戶體驗。

It’s also notable that some partnerships extend to crypto rewards and payments.
仲有部分合作仲涵蓋加密貨幣獎賞同支付。

For example, fintech app Fold (a Bitcoin rewards debit card) partnered with a small bank to issue the card and with Visa’s Fast Track program, showcasing a multi-way partnership: fintech + bank + crypto.
例如，Fold（一款比特幣回贈扣帳卡）就同一家小型銀行發卡，再加埋Visa Fast Track計劃，即係金融科技＋銀行＋加密貨幣三方聯手。

While Fold isn’t a full neobank, it behaves like one with checking and Bitcoin cashback.
雖然Fold唔算完整嘅純網銀，但功能都好接近，有活期帳戶同比特幣回贈。

Lastly, partnerships are crucial for compliance.
最後，合作對合規好關鍵。

By working with regulated crypto entities (like Kraken in Europe, or Paxos in the US), neobanks ensure that the crypto services are compliant with anti-money laundering laws and other regulations.
同受規範加密貨幣機構（如歐洲Kraken、美國Paxos）合作，可以確保純網銀嘅加密業務係符合法洗黑錢等法規。

This shields the neobank from some risk, since the partner handles KYC/AML for crypto transactions and the custody of assets in a compliant way.
咁做亦減低咗純網銀嘅風險，因為合規核查（KYC/AML）同資產託管由合作夥伴按規定處理。

We can expect more such alliances.
預計將來會有更多類似結盟。

As crypto regulation matures, more banks (neo or traditional) will feel comfortable offering crypto via partnership.
隨住加密貨幣監管日趨成熟，愈來愈多純網銀或傳統銀行會考慮夥拍合作提供相關服務。

Likewise, crypto companies are eager to tap into mainstream distribution – being inside a popular banking app is a great way to reach new users who might not sign up on a standalone crypto exchange.
同時，加密貨幣公司都想打入主流市場——能夠插入受歡迎銀行App，自然更易接觸到平時唔去加密交易所的新用戶。

The lines between banking and crypto services are increasingly intersecting through these collaborations.
金融與加密服務界線經過咁多合作，已經愈來愈模糊。

8. Top 10 Neobanks in the World (2025)

The neobanking sector has exploded globally, with dozens of players rising to prominence.
全球純網銀行業急速增長，唔少平台冒起成為行業巨頭。

Below are ten of the world’s leading neobanks (and digital-only banking platforms), selected based on their user base size, valuation, global reach, service breadth, and innovation.
以下就係根據用戶規模、估值、全球版圖、服務範圍同創新能力等等，精選出全球十間最頂尖嘅純網銀（及純網上銀行平台）：

These are not ranked purely by one metric but collectively represent the cream of the crop in the neobank landscape as of 2025:
排名唔單純以一項指標區分，而係總體代表2025年全球純網銀行業精英。

1. PayPal – The Global Digital Finance Giant:
2. PayPal – 全球數碼金融巨頭：

While some debate whether PayPal is a “neobank,” it operates as a digital-first financial platform offering payment services, bank-like wallets, and even savings and crypto trading.
雖然有人對PayPal算唔算純網銀有保留，但佢都係以數碼金融平台為主，提供支付、電子錢包、甚至儲蓄同加密貨幣交易。

With 392 million active customers globally, PayPal is by far one of the largest online financial services providers.
PayPal全球有3.92億活躍客戶，係現時最大型網上金融服務平台之一。

It has an $80 billion market cap and has ventured into crypto (enabling Bitcoin/ETH trading and launching its own PYUSD stablecoin).
市值高達800億美元，仲涉足加密貨幣領域（開放比特幣／以太幣交易、設立自家穩定幣PYUSD）。

PayPal’s sheer scale and global reach (200+ markets) make it a cornerstone of digital banking for many, bridging traditional payments and modern fintech.
PayPal如此規模同全球化（覆蓋200多個市場），已經係好多人心中連結傳統金融與新時代金融科技嘅數碼銀行龍頭。

2. Nubank – LatAm’s Purple Superstar:
3. Nubank – 拉丁美洲紫色金融之星：

Brazil’s Nubank has emerged as the world’s most valuable neobank, with a valuation around $45–$50+ billion and over 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
巴西Nubank已成為全球估值最高嘅純網銀，估值約$450–$500億美金，用戶超過1億，遍佈巴西、墨西哥、哥倫比亞。

Renowned for its purple credit card and app, Nubank revolutionized banking in Brazil by eliminating annual fees and providing a slick mobile experience in a market previously dominated by fee-heavy banks.
佢以招牌紫色信用卡同App聞名，通過免年費、流暢手機App徹底改革巴西過往收費高昂嘅銀行體制。

It has expanded into lending, investments, and insurance.
業務已拓展到貸款、投資、保險等範疇。

Notably, Nubank embraced crypto in 2022, allowing its Brazilian users to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum in-app, reflecting its innovative edge.
值得一提，Nubank於2022年都引入加密貨幣，讓巴西用戶可以直接喺App買賣比特幣同以太幣，盡顯創新優勢。

With backing from investors like Berkshire Hathaway, Nubank is not only huge in user count but also a bellwether for fintech success in emerging markets.
連巴郡都投資，Nubank用戶量龐大，更成為新興市場金融科技嘅成功典範。

3. Revolut – The Global Fintech Super-App:
4. Revolut – 全球金融科技超級App：

Born in the UK and now serving customers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, Revolut boasts around 50 million+ users worldwide (crossing 52 million by 2024).
源於英國，現服務遍佈歐洲、北美、亞太，Revolut全球用戶超過5,000萬（到2024年更超過5,200萬）。

It started with travel money and low-cost currency exchange, but today Revolut offers everything from bank accounts, stock and crypto trading, to insurance and business accounts – truly aiming to be a “super-app.”
最初主打旅遊外幣同低成本兌換，但而家服務覆蓋銀行帳戶、股票同加密貨幣交易、保險甚至商業戶口，名副其實「超級App」。

Valued at $33 billion in its last funding round, Revolut is known for rapid innovation: it was one of the first neobanks to integrate crypto trading (now offering dozens of coins), and it continually adds new features (like budgeting tools, donation features, etc.).
最新一輪估值達到330億美元，以持續創新見稱；早期已引入加密貨幣交易（現時支持幾十種幣種），並不斷推出港新功能（如預算工具、捐款模組等）。

Revolut’s global ambitions and ability to localize (it obtained bank licenses in Europe, and is pursuing one in the UK and potentially the US) put it at the forefront of the neobank revolution.
全球化同本地化兼備（歐洲已持有銀行牌，正申請英國同美國牌照），令Revolut成為領軍純網銀。

It’s often cited as the closest to a global neobank, though it faces the challenge of navigating many regulatory regimes.
佢經常被譽為全球化純網銀之最，但挑戰係要應對世界各地唔同監管。

4. Chime – US Challenger Champion:
5. Chime – 美國市場冠軍：

Chime is the leading neobank in the United States, with an estimated 20+ million customers (reports indicate 22 million in 2023).
Chime係美國最強純網銀，2023年估計用戶達2,200萬。

Focused on simplifying banking for everyday Americans, Chime offers no-fee checking accounts, early access to paychecks, and a savings account, all through an easy app.
Chime專注服務平民，全部App化，主打免月費支票戶口、提前收糧、儲蓄戶口等。

Its viral growth and heavy marketing have made it a top fintech brand in the US, especially appealing to those fed up with monthly fees at big banks.
極速增長加上強勁Market推廣，令其成為美國頂尖金融科技品牌，尤其受夠大銀行收費嘅市民歡迎。

Chime has yet to delve deeply into crypto services, likely due to a cautious regulatory environment in the US, but it has solidified its position with features like credit builder cards and a large free ATM network via partnerships.
由於美國監管保守，Chime暫時未全面進軍加密貨幣，但靠信用建立卡、大量免費ATM網絡等鞏固市場地位。

With a valuation that was around $25 billion in 2021 (though the market has fluctuated since), Chime is a standout for proving a neobank can scale in the crucial U.S. market.
2021年估值約250億美元（市場之後有波動），Chime成功證明純網銀可以於美國主流市場大規模發展。

5. Cash App (Square) – Payments App Turned Neobank:
6. Cash App（Square） – 由支付App進化成純網銀：

Cash App, developed by Jack Dorsey’s Block, Inc. (formerly Square), started as a simple peer-to-peer payment app but has evolved to offer many banking-like services.
Cash App由Jack Dorsey旗下Block Inc.（前稱Square）開發，最初只係簡單P2P付款App，後來加入多項銀行服務。

It has about 50–57 million monthly active users as of 2024 – making it hugely popular in the US.
2024年活躍用戶約5,000–5,700萬，喺美國極受歡迎。

Cash App provides users with a debit card, the ability to deposit paychecks, buy stocks, and crucially, buy and sell Bitcoin (Cash App was an early adopter of Bitcoin integration).
Cash App而家有扣帳卡、支票入帳、股票交易，重點係可以買賣比特幣（係最早整合Bitcoin嘅App之一）。

While not a bank by charter, Cash App functions as a de facto neobank for many young Americans who use it as their primary account.
雖然冇正式銀行牌，但對好多美國年輕人嚟講，Cash App等同主力銀行戶口。

Its integration of Bitcoin and even the Lightning Network for payments aligns well with crypto enthusiasts.
佢更加支援Lightning Network做加密支付，深得幣圈支持。

Cash App’s success underscores how a fintech app can blur the line with banking, and its parent company Block’s focus on crypto innovation keeps it at the cutting edge.
Cash App證明咗金融科技軟件可以打破傳統銀行界線，母公司Block對加密創新嘅堅持亦令其保持前沿。

6. SoFi – From Student Loans to Financial One-Stop:
7. SoFi – 由學生貸款到一站式金融服務：

SoFi (Social Finance) is a U.S.-based fintech that began with refinancing student loans and expanded into a broad suite of financial services.
SoFi (Social Finance) 美國金融科技公司，起家於學生貸款再融資，逐步擴展至多元化金融服務。

Now a public company, SoFi has about 10–11 million members and offers banking (SoFi Bank – it obtained a national bank charter in 2022), investing in stocks and crypto, personal and home loans, credit card, and more, all through its app.
現已上市，公司會員量約1,000–1,100萬，提供銀行（SoFi銀行2022年已獲全國銀行牌）、股票與加密投資、個人/樓宇按揭貸款、信用卡等一站式App服務。

SoFi’s (content ends)value lies in its ecosystem approach – users are drawn in by one product (say, a loan) and cross-sold into using SoFi Money (checking accounts) or SoFi Invest, etc. SoFi has embraced crypto by offering trading of major cryptocurrencies within SoFi Invest, making it one of the first U.S. fintechs to do so in a regulatory compliant way. With a market cap around $6–8 billion in 2025 and continuing growth in its banking division, SoFi is often highlighted as a successful “fintech to bank” story and a major neobank player in North America.

其價值在於生態圈策略——用戶一開始可能因貸款等產品被吸引，再進一步被推銷使用 SoFi Money（活期帳戶）、SoFi Invest 等其他服務。SoFi 亦積極擁抱加密貨幣，在 SoFi Invest 平台內開放主流加密貨幣交易，成為首批於監管規定下合規經營此類服務的美國金融科技公司之一。到 2025 年市值約 60 至 80 億美元，銀行業務持續增長，SoFi 經常被視為“從金融科技到銀行”的成功案例，也是北美重要的虛擬銀行（neobank）代表之一。

7. N26 – Pioneering European Neobank: Germany’s N26 was one of Europe’s first app-based banks, and has about 8 million customers across the EU (as of mid-decade). It’s known for its minimalist, user-friendly app and early expansion across Europe using a German banking license “passported” to other EU countries. N26 offered features like instant push notifications and Spaces (sub-accounts for savings goals) that set the standard early on. Although N26 had some setbacks (like withdrawing from the UK and US markets), it remains a dominant player in continental Europe. Valued at around $9+ billion in its last funding, N26 has continued to innovate – it introduced N26 Crypto in partnership with Bitpanda to allow crypto trading, and it’s exploring stock trading as well. N26 is often mentioned alongside Revolut as a European challenger success, though with a more European focus (fewer global ambitions than Revolut).

8. N26 – 歐洲先驅虛擬銀行：德國的 N26 是歐洲最早推出應用程式銀行之一，截至本十年中期已在歐盟擁有約 800 萬用戶。它以簡約而用戶友善的 app 以及早期憑德國銀行牌照“通行施行”至其他歐盟國家而聞名。N26 早期已推出即時推送通知、Spaces（儲蓄目標子帳戶）等功能，為業界定下標準。雖然 N26 經歷一些挫折（例如撤出英國及美國市場），但在歐洲大陸依然佔有主導地位。上一次集資後估值超過 90 億美元，N26 持續創新——與 Bitpanda 合作推出 N26 Crypto 以納入加密貨幣交易，亦正考慮進軍股票買賣。N26 經常與 Revolut 相提並論，都是歐洲金融科技公司的標誌性成功，但 N26 更專注歐洲市場（全球野心較 Revolut 低）。

9. Monzo – UK’s Beloved Banking App: Monzo, famous for its coral pink debit card, is one of the UK’s leading neobanks with around 9-10 million customers by 2024. Monzo built a strong community through its beta launch and became a cultural phenomenon for a while among UK millennials. It offers personal and business accounts, lending, and has marketplace integrations for things like energy switching. Monzo hasn’t aggressively expanded internationally (a small US pilot aside), but in the UK it’s been a trailblazer for features like instant spending notifications, fee-free travel spending, and easy bill splitting. While Monzo has not focused on crypto trading services (as UK regulations and perhaps the bank’s own priorities have kept it more traditional in product scope), it has indirectly allowed connectivity with crypto apps and has been observing the space. Monzo’s recent moves into profitability (it turned a profit in 2023) and growing deposits show neobanks can mature into sustainable businesses. It’s valued around $4.5 billion (2022) and considered among the top tier of neobanks globally for its innovation and loyal user base.

10. Monzo – 英國人氣銀行 app：Monzo 以珊瑚粉紅色提款卡聞名，是英國領先的虛擬銀行之一，到 2024 年已有約 900 至 1000 萬用戶。Monzo 透過 beta 推出建立強大社群，一度成為英國千禧世代的文化現象。它提供個人及商業戶口、貸款，以及連接能源轉會等市場整合服務。Monzo 未有積極拓展國際業務（除了小規模美國試點），但於英國市場率先推出即時消費通知、零手續費旅遊消費、輕鬆分帳等特色功能。雖然 Monzo 沒有主打加密貨幣交易服務（受英國法規及本身產品定位影響較保守），但間接允許與加密應用程式連結，一直密切觀察相關領域。Monzo 最近實現盈利（2023 年轉盈）及存款持續增加，反映虛擬銀行可以發展成可持續企業。2022 年估值約 45 億美元，憑創新和忠實用戶群被視為全球頂級虛擬銀行之一。

11. WeBank – China’s Mega Digital Bank: WeBank, launched in 2014, is China’s first online-only bank and is backed by tech giant Tencent. It operates primarily through the WeChat super-app. With a staggering 200+ million customers (some sources even claim over 300 million), WeBank is possibly the world’s largest digital bank by user numbers. It provides consumer and SME loans, payments, and deposit services all through digital channels. WeBank achieved scale by tapping into Tencent’s ecosystem (WeChat and QQ) for user acquisition. It’s highly profitable and has inspired similar models elsewhere in Asia. While WeBank does not engage in cryptocurrency (China bans retail crypto trading and ICOs), it has been innovative in blockchain on the enterprise side and in fintech infrastructure. WeBank’s inclusion in a global top list is important to note the scale achievable in populous markets through digital banking. It might not be well-known in the West due to its exclusively China focus and the fact that it doesn’t market itself internationally, but sheer size and success make it a top neobank globally.

12. WeBank – 中國超級數碼銀行：WeBank 於 2014 年成立，是中國首間純線上銀行，由科技巨頭騰訊支持。主要經 WeChat（微信）超級 app 運作。用戶數驚人，超過 2 億（部分來源指超過 3 億），可能是全球用戶人數最多的數碼銀行。提供個人及中小企貸款、支付和存款等全面數碼服務。WeBank 利用騰訊生態圈（微信、QQ）吸納用戶，規模迅速擴張，收益可觀，並啟發亞洲其他同類模式。WeBank 並未涉足加密貨幣交易（中國禁止零售加密貨幣買賣及 ICO），但在企業區塊鏈技術和金融科技基建上極具創新力。WeBank 入選世界頂尖虛擬銀行名單，是因為它證明了在人口大國透過數碼銀行做到的規模效應。由於專注中國本土及毋須出國宣傳，或許在西方不太知名，但其規模及成功使其成為全球最頂尖的虛擬銀行之一。

13. Starling Bank – The Profitable Innovator: Starling is another UK-based neobank, smaller in customer count (3+ million customers, including many small businesses) but highly regarded in fintech circles. Founded by Anne Boden, Starling took a slightly different path by focusing not just on retail accounts but also heavily on business banking and offering Banking-as-a-Service to other fintechs. Starling became one of the first neobanks to reach sustained profitability (from 2021 onwards), proving the viability of the model. It offers a full checking account with lots of features, and has marketplace integrations with third-party financial products. Starling hasn’t integrated crypto trading into its app (in fact, it was cautious, temporarily blocking crypto exchange deposits citing risk concerns in the past). However, its strong fundamentals and innovative approach to banking (like providing payments infrastructure to fintech partners) earn it a spot among the top neobanks. Starling’s success, especially in SME banking (where it has a significant UK market share in new business accounts), demonstrates that neobanks can compete in multiple segments. With a valuation around $3 billion (as of 2022) and growing, it might not be the largest, but it’s influential and often referenced as a model for building a sustainable digital bank.

14. Starling Bank – 盈利創新者：Starling 是另一間英國虛擬銀行，用戶數較少（300 多萬，包括大量中小企用戶），但在金融科技圈十分受推崇。由 Anne Boden 創辦，Starling 鎖定不單止是零售帳戶，更重視商業銀行服務，並向其他金融科技公司提供“銀行即服務”。Starling 是首批穩定實現盈利的虛擬銀行之一（2021 年起），證明其營運模式可行。它提供功能齊全的活期戶口，並支援多種第三方金融產品。Starling 沒有將加密貨幣交易融入 app（事實上過去曾因風險顧慮，短暫阻止用戶存入加密交易所），但其根基穩健和創新銀行思維（例如為其他金融科技公司提供支付基建）亦令它成為頂級虛擬銀行之一。Starling 在中小企銀行業尤其表現突出（在英國新開商業戶口市場佔有顯著份額），說明虛擬銀行可於不同細分市場競爭。估值約 30 億美元（2022 年），規模或未必最大，但具影響力，經常被視為可持續數碼銀行的典範。

(Honorable Mentions:) There are many other notable neobanks close on the heels of these ten. Wise (formerly TransferWise) isn’t a bank but offers multi-currency accounts to 16+ million users, playing a big role in cross-border finance. KakaoBank in South Korea has over 18 million users and a strong IPO debut in 2021, making it a major Asian neobank. Varo Bank in the U.S. made history as the first fintech to get a full national bank charter. And in other regions, players like Grab’s GXS Bank (Southeast Asia), TymeBank (South Africa), Yono/SBI Yono (India, via SBI), and Banco Inter (Brazil) are shaping digital banking. The top 10 list above, however, covers the most globally impactful names to date, spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

（其他值得一提的）：其實還有不少其他嶄露頭角的虛擬銀行。Wise（前稱 TransferWise）雖非銀行，但為逾 1,600 萬用戶提供多貨幣帳戶，在跨境金融扮演重要角色。南韓 KakaoBank 擁有超過 1,800 萬用戶，2021 年 IPO 表現強勁，是亞洲主要虛擬銀行。美國的 Varo Bank 成為首個獲頒全國銀行牌照的金融科技公司。各地還有 Grab GXS Bank（東南亞）、TymeBank（南非）、Yono/SBI Yono（印度 SBI 集團）、Banco Inter（巴西）等，都積極塑造數碼銀行發展。不過，上述十大已經涵蓋現時對全球影響最大的名字，遍及美洲、歐洲及亞洲。

9. Regulatory Considerations and Regional Differences (EU vs US vs APAC)

9. 監管考量及地區分別（歐盟 vs 美國 vs 亞太）

Neobanks operate under the shadow of banking regulations, which vary significantly by region. Regulatory frameworks determine how neobanks can launch, whether they can call themselves “banks,” how they handle crypto, and how they expand. Here’s a breakdown of the landscape in Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC), highlighting key differences and considerations:

虛擬銀行受到傳統銀行監管架構規範，而不同地區規定差異極大。監管框架決定虛擬銀行如何落地、能否自稱為“銀行”、如何處理加密貨幣、以及如何擴展業務。以下分別介紹歐洲、美國和亞太（APAC）地區的格局，並突顯出主要差異及注意事項：

Europe (EU/UK): Europe has generally been a fertile ground for neobanks, thanks to conducive regulations and initiatives to boost competition. In the EU, regulations like the PSD2 (Revised Payment Services Directive) mandated open banking and allowed licensed fintechs to access banking data with user consent. This encouraged new entrants and collaborations. Many European neobanks started with an “e-money institution” license – which is easier to get than a full bank license – allowing them to handle payments and electronic money, but not to call themselves a “bank” or hold deposits on their own balance sheet. Examples include Revolut and Monese using e-money licenses in their early stages. However, the EU also provided pathways for full bank authorization; for instance, N26 obtained a full banking license from German regulators relatively early (2016), and others followed in various countries. An EU banking license can be passported across member states, enabling an entity like N26 or Revolut to serve many countries once authorized in one, albeit with coordination with each national regulator.

歐洲（歐盟／英國）：歐洲一直是虛擬銀行的沃土，受惠於鼓勵競爭的監管政策及多項促進創新措施。在歐盟層面，如 PSD2（修訂支付服務指令）強制推行開放銀行，並允許持牌金融科技公司經客戶授權存取銀行數據。這開放了市場，吸引新玩家和各類合作。很多歐洲虛擬銀行最初持有“電子貨幣機構”牌照——比全銀行牌容易申請，可處理支付和電子貨幣，但不能自稱為“銀行”或於自身資產負債表持存款。Revolut、Monese等早期就是以電子貨幣牌照經營。不過歐盟亦有全行牌申請機制，例如 N26 早於 2016 年就取得德國銀行監管全牌，其他公司其後亦於不同國家跟隨。一張歐盟銀行牌理論上可“通行施行”至各成員國，像 N26、Revolut 一旦獲授權後，可跨多國運作，惟須與各國監管機構協調。

The United Kingdom, while now outside the EU, also championed challenger banks post-2010. UK regulators created a more accessible regime for new bank licenses, leading to the launch of Monzo, Starling, Atom, etc. The UK allowed a “mobilization” phase where a new bank could get an authorization with restrictions, launch in a limited way, then get fully authorized. The result was a vibrant challenger bank scene. The UK has also been updating its regulations around fintech and crypto – for instance, as of 2023-2024, the FCA has been tightening rules on crypto promotions, which could affect how integrated crypto services are marketed by fintechs.

英國雖然已脫歐，但自 2010 年後亦大力推動創新銀行。監管機構設立較寬鬆的新銀行牌照指引，促成 Monzo、Starling、Atom 等新銀行成立。英國容許“動員期”制度，即新銀行可先獲有限制授權，少量推出服務，之後才全面開業，造就蓬勃的挑戰者銀行生態。英國亦持續更新金融科技及加密貨幣監管——例如 2023-2024 年間，FCA 加強規管加密資產推廣，影響金融科技公司推廣相關服務的方式。

A key consideration in Europe is use of the term “bank.” Regulators insisted that only licensed banks use that term to avoid customer confusion. This is why Revolut, which lacked a UK banking license for years, marketed itself carefully and obtained a Lithuanian banking license to call itself a bank in the EU. Similarly in the U.S., we saw Chime’s disclaimer “Chime is not a bank” enforced – a similar logic is applied in Europe. Neobanks have had to make sure their customers know who is providing the underlying protections. European deposit insurance schemes (like the EU-wide €100k guarantee per bank, or the UK’s FSCS £85k guarantee) apply to licensed banks. So if a neobank isn’t a bank, it must clarify that user funds are safeguarded via a partner bank which has the insurance.

於歐洲，一個重要監管重點是“bank”一詞的使用——監管機構要求只有持牌銀行才能使用這稱號，以免誤導消費者。例如 Revolut 多年未獲英國銀行牌時，只能審慎行銷身份，改在立陶宛申請銀行牌才可以於歐盟自稱為銀行。美國如 Chime 亦需標示“Chime is not a bank”，歐洲同理。虛擬銀行必須讓客戶明白誰提供實質保障。歐洲存款保障計劃（如歐盟每銀行 €10 萬、英國 FSCS £8.5 萬）只適用於持牌銀行；虛擬銀行如未持銀行牌，必須清晰說明用戶資金係由合作銀行持有及受保障。

Regarding crypto in Europe, regulation is moving toward clarity with the new MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), expected to be in force by 2024/25. MiCA will create an EU-wide licensing regime for cryptoasset services. This could actually make it easier for neobanks to integrate crypto, as they’ll have clear rules to follow or partners who are MiCA-compliant. Already, European neobanks have been active (as seen with Bitpanda partnerships, etc.), but they had to navigate each country’s interpretation of EU directives. The EU is relatively open to innovation, as long as consumer protection is in place.

歐盟就加密資產監管正逐步明確，例如最新 MiCA（加密資產市場監管規例）預期 2024/25 年生效，將建立歐盟級加密服務發牌制度。這將令虛擬銀行整合加密資產服務更方便，因有明確規則或可直接與合資格（MiCA-compliant）的合作夥伴合作。歐洲虛擬銀行早已活躍（如與 Bitpanda 等合作），但以往需因應各國不同執行細節應對。只要保障消費者，歐盟整體對創新較為開放。

Regionally within Europe, differences exist: Germany’s BaFin is quite strict (N26 faced some regulatory constraints to slow growth until compliance caught up), France required some local specifics for banks, Lithuania became a fintech licensing hub, etc. But overall, the EU provides a passportable regulatory environment conducive to cross-border digital banks. The EU’s Second Electronic Money Directive also helped in establishing fintechs that aren’t fully banks.

歐洲內部監管細節有別：德國 BaFin 管得嚴格（N26 就曾遭增長限制，直至合規才放寬）；法國亦有本土銀行規則；立陶宛成為金融科技發牌熱點等等。但整體而言，歐盟提供一套可「通行」的監管環境，有利跨境虛擬銀行發展。歐盟“第二電子貨幣指令”也協助促成非傳統銀行型態的金融科技公司。

North America (USA): The United States has a more fragmented

北美（美國）：美國則……（請補充剩餘部分內容以便翻譯）regulatory system for banking, making life trickier for neobanks. There is no direct equivalent of a “fintech charter” (an OCC proposal for a special fintech bank charter stalled in legal challenges). This means if a fintech wants to be a bank, it must either acquire an existing bank or apply for a full national bank charter (or state charter and then get FDIC insurance). This is a tall order; only Varo Money succeeded in getting a brand-new national bank charter (FDIC-insured) as a de novo digital bank in 2020. Others like SoFi went the route of acquiring a small bank (SoFi bought Golden Pacific Bancorp) to fast-track into becoming a bank.

金融業的監管系統令新型數碼銀行（neobank）面對更多挑戰。現時並無類似「金融科技特許執照」（fintech charter）這類直接的方案（美國貨幣監理署 OCC 曾提議過特別金融科技銀行執照，但受法律挑戰而擱置）。意思是如果一間金融科技公司想成為銀行，就要麼收購一間現有銀行，要麼申請完整的全國性銀行牌照（或先取得州級執照再申請 FDIC 存款保險）。這個門檻相當高；到目前為止，只有 Varo Money 在 2020 年成功地申請到全新、帶 FDIC 存款保險的全國銀行牌照，成為新設立的純網上銀行。其他如 SoFi 則選擇收購一間小型銀行（SoFi 收購了 Golden Pacific Bancorp），捷徑成為銀行。

Most U.S. neobanks thus operate by partnering with chartered banks. They typically establish a partnership with an FDIC-insured bank that holds the deposits on behalf of neobank users. This is why Chime accounts are actually held at The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, why Coinbase’s USD balances are held at MetaBank, etc. The partner bank’s name is usually in the fine print and accounts are FDIC insured through them. This model works, but it means neobanks are essentially agents of existing banks from a legal perspective. U.S. regulators (OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, CFPB) have been keeping a close eye on these arrangements to ensure that the partner banks aren’t just “renting” out their charter without proper risk controls (so-called “rent-a-bank” concerns). In early 2023, after some crypto-related bank failures, U.S. regulators also informally cautioned banks about relationships with crypto firms – meaning a partner bank might be hesitant if a neobank heavily deals in crypto.

因此，大部分美國新型數碼銀行（neobank）都是與持牌銀行合作運作。他們通常會同一間有 FDIC 存款保險的銀行合作，由合作銀行代為持有客戶存款。這就是為甚麼 Chime 帳戶實際上是由 The Bancorp Bank 或 Stride Bank 持有、Coinbase 的美元結餘由 MetaBank 保管等。合作銀行的名字通常寫在細則條款裡，而賬戶都是經他們獲 FDIC 保險。呢個模式行得通，不過法律上新型數碼銀行本質上只是現有銀行的代理人。美國監管機構（OCC、聯儲局、FDIC、消費者金融保護局 CFPB）一直密切關注這類安排，確保合作銀行唔係「租出」自己執照而無做足風險管理措施（即所謂「rent-a-bank」問題）。2023 年初，有幾間涉及加密貨幣業務的銀行相繼出事之後，美國監管機構亦非正式向銀行發出警告，提醒他們小心與加密貨幣相關公司的合作 —— 意思係如果一間新型數碼銀行重度涉足加密貨幣時，合作銀行可能有所保留。

Additionally, the U.S. has stringent rules on bank terminology and consumer protection. The CFPB made an example of Chime by making it clarify that it is a fintech service, not a bank. Any neobank-style offering must avoid implying they are the insured institution if they are not. The patchwork of state money transmitter licenses can also come into play if a neobank isn’t a bank – many fintechs need those licenses to hold and move customer funds in each state (this is a complex area many solve by again using a partner bank’s coverage).

另外，美國對銀行名稱的使用及消費者保障亦有嚴格規定。CFPB（消費者金融保護局）曾要求 Chime 必須明確標示自己只是金融科技公司，而不是銀行。所有類似新型銀行產品，如果本身唔係受存款保險機構，就唔可以誤導客戶以為自己係銀行。再者，如果新型銀行本身並非銀行，還要應對全美各州不同的金錢傳輸執照（money transmitter license）規定 —— 好多金融科技公司都要逐州申請執照，以合法持有及轉移客戶資金（呢啲複雜問題好多時都係靠合作銀行去解決）。

For crypto services in the US, regulation is in flux. Fintechs offering crypto must register appropriately (often as money services businesses) and in some cases get state-level crypto licenses (like the New York BitLicense). Some banks in the US have been very cautious due to unclear SEC/CFTC stance on various tokens. As a result, fewer American neobanks offer in-app crypto trading compared to Europe. SoFi is an outlier that does (it actually has to ring-fence its crypto business under its broker-dealer subsidiary). Traditional banks mostly stayed away from offering crypto to retail (apart from perhaps some allowing crypto funds in wealth management). The regulatory uncertainty (e.g., whether certain tokens are considered securities) makes it tricky. However, the appetite is growing – in late 2023, we saw major banks get involved in a pilot for a regulated digital asset settlement system (Canton Network) and growing institutional interest. Neobanks in the U.S. will likely expand crypto offerings if and when clearer rules (or legislation) emerge.

至於美國的加密貨幣服務，相關監管仍然變動中。提供加密貨幣服務的金融科技公司通常需要註冊（好多時以金錢服務業身份），有時還要申請州級加密貨幣執照（如紐約的 BitLicense）。由於美國證券交易委員會（SEC）和期貨交易委員會（CFTC）對各種代幣的定性態度不夠明確，有啲銀行對加密貨幣業務非常謹慎。咁結果就係美國新型數碼銀行提供應用內加密貨幣交易的比率，遠低於歐洲。SoFi 算係少數例外（不過佢要將加密貨幣業務隔離在券商子公司名下經營）。傳統銀行大多避免為散戶直接提供加密貨幣服務（即使有，都只是讓你在財富管理產品中買賣加密貨幣資產）。監管未明朗（例如某啲代幣是否被視為證券）令很多銀行卻步。不過市場興趣正上升 —— 2023 年底已見到大型銀行參與受監管的數碼資產結算系統試點（Canton Network），機構投資者亦愈來愈關注。如果監管指引或法例更明朗，美國新型銀行應會加大加密貨幣相關服務。

APAC (Asia-Pacific): The APAC region is diverse, with different countries charting different paths for digital banking:

亞太地區：亞太地區情況多元，不同國家在數碼銀行上走唔同路線：

China: As mentioned, China has giants like WeBank and Ant Group’s MYbank – both are digital banks with full licenses, but crucially, China bans cryptocurrency trading for individuals and ICOs. So Chinese digital banks do not integrate crypto in the way Western neobanks do. Instead, they’ve focused on AI, big data credit scoring, and even enterprise blockchain for backend processes (WeBank is known for its blockchain platform FISCO-BCOS used in supply chain finance, for example). Regulation in China allowed tech companies to get banking licenses (with significant capital and state oversight). The success of WeBank (400M+ users) is partly due to regulatory support for digital finance domestically while excluding foreign tech firms and keeping crypto out of retail finance.

中國：如前文講過，中國有微眾銀行（WeBank）和螞蟻集團的網商銀行（MYbank）等科技巨頭開設的全牌照數碼銀行，不過重點係中國禁止個人參與加密貨幣交易、ICO（一眾首次代幣發行）。所以中國的數碼銀行與西方 neobank 不同，並無加密貨幣整合，反而專注於人工智能、大數據信用評分，甚至用區塊鏈技術處理企業後端流程（譬如微眾銀行的區塊鏈平台 FISCO-BCOS 就應用於供應鏈金融）。中國監管容許科技公司在有足夠資本及國家監督下申請銀行牌照。微眾銀行能達到 4 億+用戶，部分原因正是監管政策支持本地數碼金融發展，同時阻止外國科企和加密貨幣納入零售銀行體系。

Southeast Asia: Regions like Southeast Asia have been issuing new digital bank licenses in recent years.

東南亞：近年東南亞多個國家開始派發全新數碼銀行牌照。

Singapore in 2020 granted four digital bank licenses (to Grab-Singtel consortium, Sea Group, Ant Group, and a Greenland consortium). These digital banks started coming online around 2022–2023 (e.g., Grab and Singtel’s GXS Bank launched in 2022 in Singapore). Singapore’s regulator MAS is known for balancing innovation with strict oversight. They also have a clear licensing scheme for crypto exchanges and wallets under the Payment Services Act. It’s conceivable that Singapore’s digital banks might integrate crypto or offer tokenized deposits in the future, but initially they are focused on underserved retail and SME segments.

新加坡於 2020 年批出四個數碼銀行牌照（予 Grab-Singtel 聯盟、Sea 集團、螞蟻集團，以及一個綠地集團聯盟）。這批新數碼銀行大約在 2022–2023 年正式營運（例如 Grab 和 Singtel 的合資 GXS Bank 於 2022 年在新加坡開業）。新加坡金融管理局（MAS）以兼顧創新及嚴謹監管見稱；同時對加密貨幣交易所和錢包有明確發牌制度（《支付服務法》下實施）。因此預計新加坡的數碼銀行將來有可能會引入加密貨幣服務或發行代幣化存款，但初期優先集中於服務未被覆蓋的零售及中小企市場。

Malaysia awarded 5 digital bank licenses in 2022 (to consortiums involving Grab, Sea, local banks, etc.), those banks are starting operations by 2024–2025. Hong Kong issued 8 virtual bank licenses in 2019 (e.g., WeLab, ZA Bank, Mox by Standard Chartered), which have since launched and collectively acquired millions of customers. Hong Kong initially kept a separation where virtual banks did not offer crypto trading directly (though ZA Bank in 2023 started facilitating crypto-to-fiat conversions for exchange clients in a regulated trial, as HK is trying to be a crypto hub while keeping banks cautious).

馬來西亞在 2022 年批出五個數碼銀行牌照（有 Grab、Sea、本地銀行等聯盟參與），相關銀行會於 2024–2025 年陸續投入服務。香港則在 2019 年發出八個虛擬銀行牌照（例如 WeLab、眾安銀行 ZA Bank、Standard Chartered 的 Mox 等），這些銀行已經開業並合共擁有數百萬用戶。香港最初規定虛擬銀行不可直接提供加密貨幣交易，不過隨著香港近年積極發展加密貨幣樞紐定位（同時保持銀行審慎），2023 年 ZA Bank 已開始幫助合資格虛擬資產交易平台客戶試行加密貨幣至法定貨幣兌換服務。

India: India hasn’t issued any fully digital bank licenses yet. Regulations there still require a physical presence for banks, and fintechs typically partner with banks (similar to the U.S. model). Several Indian fintech “neobanks” (like RazorpayX, Fi, Jupiter) exist but they are front-ends on top of partner banks. The Reserve Bank of India has been conservative, citing financial stability and the large public sector bank presence. On crypto, India’s stance has been very restrictive with heavy taxes on crypto trades and earlier banking bans (since lifted by court order). So, Indian neobanks have not integrated crypto services; they focus on UX and value-adds in traditional products. There are ongoing discussions in India about a digital banking license framework, but nothing concrete as of 2025.

印度：印度尚未發出過完整的數碼銀行牌照，現時法例要求銀行要有實體存在，金融科技公司多數同銀行合作（類似美國模式）。市面上有幾間印度金融科技「neobank」（如 RazorpayX、Fi、Jupiter），但其實只是在合作銀行上面蓋建立一個應用界面。印度儲備銀行一向持保守態度，理由是保障金融穩定及國有銀行仍佔主導。至於加密貨幣，印度有嚴格限制：不但曾經禁銀行做加密貨幣相關交易（後來法院推翻），還對相關交易課徵重稅。故此，印度的 neobank 都冇加入加密服務，專注提升傳統產品體驗及附加值。近年印度一直有討論數碼銀行牌照方案，但截至 2025 年仍未有具體落實。

Australia: Australia embraced digital bank startups a few years ago (issuing licenses to Volt, Xinja, 86_400, etc.), but it saw some turbulence – Xinja failed in 2020, Volt shut in 2022 returning deposits to customers, and 86_400 was acquired by National Australia Bank. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) had granted these new licenses but also held them to the same high standards as any bank. The lesson was that sufficient capital and a path to profitability are critical. Australia did allow these neobanks to call themselves banks (once licensed). The survivors (like Judo Bank, which focuses on SME lending, and Up Bank which is actually under a bank license via Bendigo & Adelaide Bank) show some success. Crypto in Australia is legal and quite popular, but none of the neobanks integrated it deeply – rather, separate Aussie crypto exchanges (like CoinJar) offer their own cards. The regulatory stance in Australia on crypto is still evolving (they’ve been consulting on which digital assets to treat as financial products, etc.).

澳洲：澳洲近年積極推動數碼銀行創業（發牌予 Volt、Xinja、86_400 等），但有一段波動時期 —— Xinja 於 2020 年倒閉，Volt 於 2022 年結束業務並退回全部存款，86_400 則被國民銀行收購。澳洲審慎監管局（APRA）曾批出新牌照，同時要求這些新銀行達到與傳統銀行同等標準，結果證明足夠資本金、盈利路線都很關鍵。澳洲容許這些新型銀行（獲牌後）自稱銀行。部分倖存者（如主打中小企貸款的 Judo Bank、透過 Bendigo & Adelaide Bank 旗下拿牌的 Up Bank）尚算有啲成果。澳洲加密貨幣合法，而且頗受歡迎，不過新型數碼銀行並無深入整合加密業務——反而本地多是由獨立加密交易所（如 CoinJar）發行卡類產品。至於澳洲對加密貨幣的監管政策亦仍在發展階段（例如正就哪些數碼資產該視為金融產品諮詢中）。

Middle East: Some countries in the Middle East (e.g., UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia) have been proactive in fintech. Bahrain licensed a digital bank (Bank ABC’s ila Bank). The UAE has a few digital banking initiatives (like Liv. by Emirates NBD, and startups like YAP). Crypto regulation in the Gulf varies: the UAE is aiming to be a crypto-friendly hub (Dubai set up VARA for crypto oversight), so we might see digital banks there incorporate crypto in the future. Bahrain allowed crypto firms under its central bank’s sandbox. These regions often look to Singapore or Europe for cues on balancing innovation with Sharia compliance and risk.

中東：中東部分國家（如阿聯酋、巴林、沙特）近年在金融科技領域相當進取。巴林批准了一家數碼銀行（Bank ABC 旗下的 ila Bank）；阿聯酋有數個數碼銀行計劃（如 Emirates NBD 的 Liv.，以及 YAP 等初創）。加密貨幣監管於海灣地區不一樣：阿聯酋正推動自己成為加密貨幣友善樞紐（杜拜設立了 VARA 專門監管加密貨幣），預期當地數碼銀行將來或會加入加密相關功能。巴林中央銀行允許加密公司進入其金融科技沙盒計劃。這些地區經常觀摩新加坡或歐洲，參考其如何平衡創新、伊斯蘭法（Sharia）合規與風險。

In terms of regulatory considerations general to neobanks:

就新型數碼銀行的一般監管重點而言：

Capital and Prudential Requirements: Getting a banking license anywhere means meeting minimum capital requirements, ongoing capital ratios (like Basel III standards), liquidity ratios, etc. Neobanks that become banks must comply just like incumbents. This is why some avoid becoming full banks initially – it’s costly and ties up capital. Regulators are increasingly looking at neobanks’ business models for sustainability, not wanting banks that just burn cash and might fail. By 2025, there’s more scrutiny on whether neobanks can turn a profit and manage risks as they grow. For instance, UK’s regulators asked new banks to improve their lending standards and operational resilience.

資本和審慎要求：任何地方申請銀行牌照，都要達到基本資本規定、資本充足率（如巴塞爾協定 III 規定）、流動性比率等標準。新型銀行若真係要「做銀行」，就要與大銀行一樣守規矩。因此不少新型銀行初期寧願唔直接做銀行，因為代價高，資本被綁死。監管機構愈來愈關注新型銀行嘅可持續商業模式，不希望出現只係「燒錢」而最終倒閉嘅銀行。到 2025 年，監管重點已上升到新型銀行有冇能力穩健盈利及規模增長時控風險。例如英國監管部門就曾要求新銀行提升借貸標準和營運韌力。

Operational Resilience and Security: Regulators worldwide are concerned with tech outages and cybersecurity at digital banks. Many have introduced guidelines requiring robust IT governance, incident reporting, and in some cases, cloud usage guidelines if banks rely on cloud providers. As noted in a Stripe article, regulators are modernizing frameworks to adapt to digital models, but also requiring neobanks to have proper risk controls (e.g., not just relying on a flashy app with no hotline when something goes wrong).

營運韌力及資訊安全：全球監管機構普遍關注數碼銀行的技術故障及網絡安全問題。好多監管部門都出台指引，要求銀行有穩健 IT 管理機制、事故通報程序，如涉雲端服務亦要有專門政策。如 Stripe 文章提及，監管正現代化框架以適應數碼時代，但同時要求新型銀行有足夠風險管理（唔可以只靠靚 app，出事時又無人接聽熱線）。

Consumer Protection and Financial Crime: Neobanks must comply with AML/KYC rules and are under the lens for things like fraud prevention. In fact, some neobanks grew so fast that fraud rings tried to exploit their onboarding (e.g., there were cases of identity fraud to open accounts at some neobanks). Regulators responded by examining how well these fintechs verify customers and monitor transactions. There’s also focus on transparency of fees and fair treatment – ensuring that if a neobank isn’t actually a bank (with deposit insurance), the customer is clearly informed. Misleading marketing is a no-go.

消費者保障及金融罪行防範：新型銀行要守反洗錢（AML）及客戶認證（KYC）等規定，亦備受關注詐騙預防。有啲新銀行增長得太快，導致詐騙集團乘虛而入（例如冒用身份開戶）。監管機構回應時，會審查金融科技公司點樣驗證客戶及監控交易。另外對收費透明及公平待遇都提出要求 —— 包括若果 neobank 並非真正受存款保險、唔係持牌銀行就必須清楚通知用戶，誤導性宣傳絕對唔容許。

Regional Limitations: Some markets simply aren’t open to independent neobanks yet due to regulatory

地區性限制：有些市場因監管原因至今仍未向獨立新型銀行真正開放barriers. 例如，喺好多非洲國家，電訊公司同銀行係推動流動支付嘅主力，而獨立嘅新型網上銀行（neobanks）好少見，除非有合作模式。至於拉丁美洲，除咗Nubank之外，墨西哥、哥倫比亞等地嘅監管機構雖然有畀金融科技牌照，但同時要求一啲合規條款，令到市場出現一定「護城河」。新型網上銀行通常要按唔同國家情況度身訂造策略——有啲地方要攞牌，有啲地方就要搵夥伴或者收購。

Crypto Regulations: 如果新型網上銀行有提供加密貨幣服務，就突然要應付完全唔同嘅監管要求。美國可能要錢銀轉移牌照（money transmitter license），歐盟國家要加密資產服務提供者註冊（MiCA出台前），或者MiCA實施後嘅一站式歐盟通行牌照；甚至要設立獨立機構來處理加密貨幣（好似SoFi咁）。有啲司法管轄區禁止銀行直接經營加密貨幣——例如喺美國，銀行一直保持戒心，因為聯邦監管未有清晰表態，除了極少數例如托管服務需要事前通知之外，未明確畀銀行將加密資產列入資產負債表。所以，好多新型網上銀行會用非銀行子公司接收加密貨幣，或者直接同交易所合作，變相令相關活動只需要受交易所牌照監管，而唔關銀行事。如果有一日，銀行可以發行穩定幣或者持有代幣化存款，新型網上銀行有可能更深度整合加密貨幣服務。

Regional differences summary: 歐洲支持跨境數碼銀行發展，有明確而嚴謹的發牌途徑；美國就要新型網上銀行依賴夥伴銀行模式，仲要跨州同聯邦分開應付，令加密貨幣服務更加小心；亞太地區情況參差——有啲國家開放啲，有啲仍然要靠合作，加密貨幣政策由禁令到友善都有。無論點，監管都係趕住追上新型網上銀行現象，目的係確保這些金融科技初創安全、管理得宜、真正造福客戶、冇過大風險。隨住新型網上銀行成熟，佢哋響合規上愈來愈似傳統銀行，即使表面體驗仍然有創新。

10. The Future of Neobanks and Their Role in the Crypto-Fintech Ecosystem

過去十年，新型網上銀行已經重塑咗零售銀行業，下一步會點？未來面對既有挑戰，亦有啲新機會，因為這些數碼銀行會再成熟，加埋加密貨幣同金融科技會不斷演變。以下幾個主題就係未來路向嘅概要：

Path to Profitability and Sustainability: 以往最緊要係增長——吸納用戶、打開新市場。但而家市場關注點轉咗去收入同盈利。好多野外新型網上銀行都因為基本賬戶利潤低而難以賺錢。將來要聚焦點係「變現」：推出貸款產品（賺利息）、收費賬戶或訂閱模式、以及其他收費服務。市面上已見到啲走高端收費路線（如Revolut Metal、Monzo Premium），以多元化收入來源。隨住風投資金冇再咁容易搵到，大型新型網上銀行要自負盈虧。好消息係，有啲已經做得到——Starling Bank已經賺錢，Monzo喺2023年首次錄得盈利，Nubank經年虧損之後亦終於2023年錄得純利。未來預計會有整合：表現弱嗰啲可能會畀人收購或者被迫結業，強者則會搶多啲市佔（甚至可能用併購方式收購對手資產）。總體嚟講，預期新誕生的新型網上銀行會少咗，市場會更加專注將現有既做成穩健生意。

Expansion of Services (Super-app Ambitions): 新型網上銀行逐漸定位自己為金融樞紐甚至「超級App」。唔單止用來查戶口咁簡單——佢地想包辦你所有金融需要，甚至擴展去生活範疇（例如生活優惠）。即係話，未來會有更多新功能加入或改善：投資（股票、ETF）、保險產品、預算同理財建議、電商連動，當然仲有加密貨幣功能。有行業報告指，2025年之後成功的新型網上銀行，會係能夠將加密錢包同交易功能「原生」地整合進App，令數碼資產管理真正無縫。一啲新型網上銀行甚至會試下Web3元素，例如用銀行ID登入去分散式App，或為代幣化資產提供託管。金融同加密金融嘅融合會更深——例如你可以喺新型網上銀行App度攞穩定幣貸款，或者用加密貨幣做抵押品借法定貨幣。如果監管容許，這啲混合型服務就有望成真。

Embedded Finance and Partnerships: 雖然新型網上銀行想用戶「乜都用我App」，但「嵌入式金融」概念就係將金融服務放入非銀行App。新型網上銀行可能透過合作伙伴將自己服務分發出去。舉例，網約車App、電商平台可以提供品牌銀行服務畀用戶，但實際背後係由新型網上銀行BaaS平台支持。有啲新型網上銀行（如Starling嘅Banking-as-a-Service、或者德國Solarisbank，經常畀人叫「白牌」新型銀行）就專注走呢條路。未來可能見到你銀行戶口其實係由Google或Amazon經合作方式提供——即係科技公司都開始變身新型銀行。咁上下既生態下，現有新型網上銀行可以選擇同科技巨企競爭，亦可以幕後合作，支持佢哋相關賬戶運作。

Globalization vs Localization: 未來策略會出現分化。有啲新型網上銀行會冀望成為全球玩家（例如Revolut，或者Nubank嘗試打入其他新興市場等），但好多野數碼銀行會集中服務自己本地市場或區域，因為咁先至有優勢打入細分市場。監管始終係銀行業難以全球大規模擴展嘅障礙——唔似得出一個App就全世界一齊用，開銀行要逐個國家逐個國家批牌照。所以未來可能會形成「聯盟模式」：每個主要市場有一間領頭羊，有啲會重疊但都各有強項。不過，佢哋之間有可能結盟，將服務互聯。例如歐洲新型銀行同亞洲新型銀行合作，聯手出跨境服務。如果將來某日加密貨幣或穩定幣令金融無國界，新型網上銀行可以借勢服務移民或者跨境工作者（有D新型銀行如Bunq明確主打「數碼遊牧」跨境理財）。

Role in Crypto-Fintech Ecosystem: 新型網上銀行好啱做加密貨幣世界的出入口。今日要入場落場加密貨幣，好多人都係由銀行轉錢落交易所。如果銀行本身就有交易所功能（或者一Click直達），流程就會快好多。隨住加密貨幣成熟，大部分大眾消費者未必想自己管理錢包或者私鑰；佢哋可能會信賴銀行（如果銀行有提供保險、好用嘅介面、而且萬一有錯仲有追討）。新型網上銀行又可以同加密平台合作，確保合規同時又俾客戶接觸到數碼資產。此外，新型網上銀行可將分散式金融「DeFi」以更親民方式整合——例如用戶可以經新型網上銀行賺取DeFi回報，但銀行本身會幫佢哋做保障或者中介，唔使親自處理複雜操作。有金融科技專家建議，肯擁抱這D趨勢的新型網上銀行會掌握競爭優勢。未來你甚至會見到新型網上銀行提供穩定幣戶口，用來做全球快閃轉賬。事實上，有幾間穩定幣發行商（如Circle USDC）主動拉攏金融科技公司同銀行，用佢哋穩定幣做清算工具。新型網上銀行如果用穩定幣系統，背後就可以做到近乎即時、24/7、低成本跨境付款——完全唔使用舊有SWIFT系統，對用戶嚟講就好似普通App轉錢咁快。

Competition and Convergence with Traditional Banks: 傳統銀行都唔係坐以待斃。大行已經大力數碼轉型，亦有直接開分身做純網上銀行（例如摩根大通2021年喺英國推出Chase UK，全數碼化，直接同Monzo、Starling競爭）。將來「新型」同「傳統」分野會愈來愈模糊。要麼新型網上銀行做大後愈來愈似傳統銀行（服務多元化，甚至開分行、客戶中心等），要麼傳統銀行學到新型銀行模式，對消費者嚟講就只剩「數碼銀行」一個選擇。大銀行已經開始收購金融科技公司或者抄襲佢哋功能。最有可能出現既情況係共存加埋合併：有啲新型網上銀行會畀大行收購，變咗大行旗下新品牌（例如BBVA喺美國收購Simple，澳洲NAB收購86_400），亦有啲會自己變大、再收購細公司擴展服務（如Nubank收購Easynvest等）。市場競爭壓力會推動各行更好服務、更低費用，消費者受惠最大。

Regulatory Evolution: 監管機構經過十年新型網上銀行經驗，漸漸摸索到路。未來可能會有更明確既「數碼銀行」監管框架；美國甚至重提Fintech專屬銀行牌照；亦有機會加強營運韌性等要求。加密貨幣監管會對新型網上銀行能否全方位提供加密服務有好大影響——只要有清晰規則同消費者保障，新型網上銀行會更有信心開拓相關服務。相反，如果監管收得好嚴（例如某啲地區規定銀行唔可以碰加密資產），新型網上銀行就會避免相關服務。好消息係，愈來愈多地區監管當局已肯定新型網上銀行既角色...of fintech in inclusion and innovation, so they aim to strike a balance. For example, the European Central Bank has voiced support for innovation but within a stable regulatory perimeter.

在金融科技促進普及同創新方面，佢哋目標係取得一個平衡。例如，歐洲中央銀行都表達咗支持創新，但強調要維持穩定嘅監管框架。

New Technologies and Innovation: Neobanks will likely be early adopters of new tech in banking – be it AI, open data, or even central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). AI is already used by neobanks for personalized insights and fraud detection; going forward, AI-powered financial coaches or chatbots could become far more sophisticated, giving users tailored advice on saving, spending, or investing (and doing so proactively). If governments introduce CBDCs (digital fiat currency issued by central banks), neobanks could integrate them quickly as just another currency supported in the app – possibly speeding up settlement and lowering costs further. Neobanks might also leverage biometric security, open finance (beyond banking into all financial data aggregation), and other emerging trends faster than traditional banks, because they tend to have more agile tech teams and less legacy drag.

新科技同創新：虛擬銀行好大機會會成為銀行業度率先採用新科技嘅一群——無論係人工智能（AI）、開放數據，甚至中央銀行數碼貨幣（CBDC）。而家虛擬銀行已經用AI嚟做個人化分析同偵測詐騙；未來，AI驅動嘅理財顧問或者聊天機械人，可能變得更精密，主動為用戶提供度身訂造嘅儲蓄、消費或者投資建議。如果政府推出CBDC（由中央銀行發行嘅數碼法定貨幣），虛擬銀行亦可以好快整合成為app入面又一種貨幣——有機會加快結算速度同進一步降低成本。虛擬銀行仲可能比傳統銀行快一步利用生物認證安全、開放金融（數據整合唔淨止止於銀行層面），同埋其他新興趨勢，因為佢哋啲科技團隊比較靈活，冇咁多舊有包袱。

Evolving Customer Expectations: The next generation of users will expect even more: seamless everything, instant onboarding with any provider, the ability to plug their bank into whatever platform they’re on (think banking through messaging apps, voice assistants, etc.). Neobanks will have to meet users where they are. We may see deeper integration of banking with social media or other daily tools, either through APIs or being part of super-apps. Crypto’s influence here might be that users begin to expect things like instant settlement (since blockchain transactions can be faster than bank transfers) or transparency and control (like being able to see exactly where their money is invested or yield is coming from). Neobanks could respond by adopting some of those blockchain-inspired features even within traditional finance operations.

客戶期望不斷提升：新一代用戶會期望更多——所有功能都要無縫銜接，隨時即時開戶，銀行仲可以連接去任何用戶選用嘅平台（諗下透過通訊app、語音助手做銀行服務等）。虛擬銀行要真係「就用戶所需而行」。有機會見到銀行同社交媒體或者其他日常工具進一步整合，可能透過API，又或者變成super-app其中一部份。加密貨幣影響可能令用戶開始期望即時結算（因為區塊鏈交易可能比傳統銀行過數快）、更高透明度同自主權（例如可以睇到自己啲錢投資咗去邊、點解有回報等）。虛擬銀行可以透過引入受區塊鏈啟發嘅功能，即使喺傳統金融框架內都做到。

In the evolving crypto-fintech ecosystem, neobanks are poised to play a central bridging role. They have millions of users comfortable with digital finance, and they can introduce those users to the crypto world in a safer, more user-friendly manner. Conversely, for the crypto industry, neobanks represent trusted channels to bring crypto to the masses under a regulated umbrella. The collaboration between the two could significantly accelerate mainstream adoption of digital assets – for example, one day checking your bank account and seeing not just your cash balance and stock portfolio but also your crypto holdings and maybe your NFT collectibles, all in one financial dashboard.

喺不斷變化嘅加密貨幣同金融科技生態中，虛擬銀行準備好擔當一個橋樑核心角色。佢哋有數以百萬計對數碼金融自在嘅用戶，可以用更安全、更易用嘅方式，將用戶介紹去加密貨幣世界。反過來，對加密貨幣行業嚟講，虛擬銀行又係在受監管下推廣加密資產到大眾信任渠道。兩者合作可以加速數碼資產入屋，好似有一天，查銀行戶口唔單止見到現金同股票組合，仲可以見到自己持有嘅加密貨幣、NFT收藏品等等，一切喺同一個理財儀表板上面睇晒。

However, the future will not be without hiccups. We may see some high-profile failures or scandals if a neobank mismanages risk or a crypto integration goes wrong (security breaches, etc.). Each such event will be a test of consumer trust in fintech. Yet, the trajectory so far indicates that digital-first banking isn’t a fad – it’s the new normal. The term “neobank” itself might fade once all banks are essentially digital to the customer. But the spirit of neobanks – innovation, inclusion, and user-centric design – will continue to shape finance. They’ve moved the needle on what customers expect from their financial institutions. And as they incorporate crypto and other fintech innovations, neobanks may well be the ones to finally harmonize traditional finance with the decentralized finance world, creating an ecosystem where moving between fiat and crypto is seamless and the benefits of both are available to users. In conclusion, the future of neobanks is one of integration: integrating more services, integrating with the lives of users more deeply, and integrating the old and new paradigms of money.

不過，未來都唔會冇波折。如果虛擬銀行風險管理失誤，或者加密貨幣整合出現問題（例如安全漏洞等），有機會出現高調失敗或者醜聞。每次咁嘅事件，都考驗住消費者對金融科技嘅信心。不過，依家形勢睇嚟，「數碼先行」已經唔係一時興起——而係新常態。「虛擬銀行」呢個字眼有可能會自然消失，因為所有銀行對客戶嚟講其實都已經數碼化。但虛擬銀行嘅精神——創新、普及同以用戶為本嘅設計——會繼續影響金融行業。佢哋已經提高咗客戶對金融機構嘅期望。隨住虛擬銀行融入咗加密貨幣同其他金融科技創新，佢哋有可能成為最終令傳統金融同去中心化金融協調結合嘅推手，建立一個法定貨幣同加密貨幣可以無縫切換、兩者優勢都被用戶盡享嘅生態圈。總括而言，虛擬銀行未來就係一個整合嘅未來：整合更多服務、同用戶生活融合得更深、融合「舊」與「新」嘅貨幣模式。