Pliant, a Berlin-based provider of business-to-business (B2B) payment technology, has secured Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorisation for its UK subsidiary to operate as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), allowing it to serve British customers through its own regulated entity.
The approval was granted to Pliant Payments Limited, enabling the company to launch payment products and onboard UK clients directly. Pliant describes the authorisation as a significant step in expanding its presence in the UK, which it considers one of its key international markets.
Founded in 2020, Pliant works with clients and partners across Europe and North America. The company is a principal member of Visa and Mastercard and issues commercial cards in 13 currencies across 32 countries. Previously, its UK and US operations relied on regulated partners, alongside its European e-money licence.
The FCA assessed Pliant’s business model, technology infrastructure and operational processes as part of the authorisation process. This included scrutiny of customer onboarding, risk management, safeguarding arrangements for customer funds and internal financial controls.
With its own EMI authorisation, Pliant expects to strengthen relationships with UK businesses, banks, financial institutions and public-sector organisations. The company also plans to expand its domestic payment infrastructure and support more complex commercial payment programmes through its locally authorised business.
Pliant’s modular platform combines commercial card issuance, payment accounts, foreign exchange and spend management tools. It serves businesses and AI agents across sectors including travel, e-commerce, insurance and AI-native technology. FinTech companies, software providers and banks can also use its infrastructure to build and operate their own commercial payment products.
The platform uses an API-first architecture that enables AI agents and applications to connect to regulated payment infrastructure, with permissions, controls and audit trails built into the system.
Pliant CEO and co-founder Malte Rau said, “Securing our own UK EMI authorisation is a major step forward in building Pliant’s long-term presence in the market. We’ve invested heavily in developing the regulated infrastructure behind our platform, and this authorisation gives us greater independence and flexibility to serve UK customers directly. It also puts us in a stronger position to bring our technology to more businesses, financial institutions and public-sector organisations as we continue to expand our capabilities and reach.”
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