Rapyd has been named to the Hurun UK Unicorns 2026 list, placing the fintech and payments company among 80 privately held UK businesses valued at US$1 billion or more. The recognition, published by the Hurun Research Institute, acknowledges Rapyd‘s position within the UK’s thriving technology and fintech ecosystem.

  • Combined value of 2026 UK index: £242.4 billion (47% increase year-over-year)
  • UK global ranking: Third by number of unicorns, behind the United States and China
  • Fintech unicorns in the UK: 27 companies valued at £121.8 billion (53% of total index value)
  • Global scope: Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2026 tracks 1,603 companies across 52 countries and 299 cities

The UK ranks as the only European country among the five largest unicorn markets globally. The sector composition of the 2026 index highlights fintech’s dominance, with 27 fintech unicorns representing 33% of the companies listed and generating 53% of the index’s total value. Other notable fintech unicorns on the list include Revolut, Checkout.com, SumUp, Monzo, and Starling Bank.

The Hurun Research Institute defines unicorns as privately held companies founded in the 2000s with valuations of at least US$1 billion. The organization evaluates companies using their most recent substantial funding valuations and comparative industry analysis. Hurun has tracked unicorn companies since 2017 and publishes annual assessments across multiple global markets.

Rapyd provides fintech infrastructure and cross-border payment solutions globally. The company’s inclusion on the index reflects the broader strength of the UK’s private technology sector and fintech innovation landscape.

By Gavriel Gavrielides

Gavriel Gavrielides is the Founder and Chief Editor of fintech-intelligence. An ACA-qualified finance executive, he previously served as Group CFO and Global Head of Accounting & Finance for a major international Forex broker with over 800 employees, following a foundational career as an auditor at a Big Four firm. Having spent over 15 years navigating complex international regulatory frameworks, scaling financial infrastructure, and managing global corporate strategies, Gavriel launched fintech-intelligence because he recognized that the traditional boundaries between finance and technology have completely dissolved. He saw a critical need for an industry publication driven by actual operational expertise rather than outside commentary. Today, Gavriel leverages his deep institutional background to cut through the market noise, delivering high-signal, deeply analytical insights into the technologies, regulations, and innovations reshaping the future of money. Connect with Gavriel on https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavriel-gavrielides-103734124/