Founders with Russian roots in 2025 attracted just over $3 billion of foreign investment in their projects, which is comparable to the result of 2024. This means that the crisis of 2022-2023, when foreign investors turned away from Russian startups after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, has been overcome. In 2026, Russian founders will have to deal with new serious problems, including tougher US immigration policy and Russia's inclusion in the EU's money laundering blacklist. How will this affect their business?

Startups with Russian roots attracted more than $3 billion in foreign investment in 2025. What awaits them in 2026? 

Nu Holdings Ltd.

In Mexico, Plata has outperformed competitors such as Nubank and Mercado Pago and is now preparing to expand its business

Plata, founded by Tinkoff employees, followed Revolut in obtaining a license in Mexico

Mexican fintech company Plata, founded by former top managers of the Russian bank Tinkoff (now T-bank) has agreed to invest up to $500 million in the investment. This is stated in the <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plata-arranges-financing-for-up-to-us500-million-by-nomura-marking-it-as-the-largest-funding-for-a-mexican-fintech-platform-302642264.html">report of</a> the startup.

Plata, a startup founded by former top managers of Tinkoff, has raised $500 mln

Two fintech companies founded by Russian natives have become direct competitors in the Mexican banking market. They are Nikolay Storonsky's Revolut neobank and Plata Card, a startup by former top managers of Tinkoff Bank with investments from the bank's founder Oleg Tinkov and Baring Vostok founder Michael Calvey. Both companies have received full banking licenses from the national regulator, are focused on aggressive growth and are seeking IPOs. What will they fight for and what challenges might they face in Mexico?