British payments heavyweight Checkout.com is set to establish a technology hub in Vilnius after receiving regulatory approval to expand into Lithuania, the central bank Lietuvos bankas (LB) confirmed on January 27. 

The move follows authorisation from the Bank of Lithuania allowing the London-based fintech to acquire Blue EMI, a locally licensed electronic money institution. The deal clears the way for Checkout.com to scale its technical and operational footprint in the country.

“Lithuania is steadily becoming the first choice for international fintech companies, and Checkout.com proves this. Our country is a hub for financial innovation,” Bank of Lithuania Governor Gediminas Simkus said in a statement.

Checkout.com founder and chief executive Guillaume Pousaz said the decision reflected confidence in Lithuania’s fintech ecosystem, pointing to regulatory clarity and sector maturity as key factors supporting the company’s global payments ambitions.

Invest Lithuania chief executive Elijus Civilis said the company fits Lithuania’s long-term strategy of attracting investors that prioritise skilled professionals and technological capability rather than low-cost operations alone, the country’s investment promotion agency Invest Lithuania said.

As part of the acquisition, Checkout.com will integrate Blue EMI’s cryptocurrency expertise and gain direct access to the Bank of Lithuania’s Centrolink payment infrastructure.

The central bank described Checkout.com as one of the largest global payment service providers, supporting online retailers and fintech firms worldwide. Blue EMI, now under its ownership, delivers open banking products, card payments and integrated solutions for e-commerce and crowdfunding platforms.

Blue EMI holds a Lithuanian licence covering payment services and the issuance of euro-backed stablecoins for institutional clients.

Checkout.com employs around 2,000 staff globally and works with major international brands including eBay, Uber, Pinterest, Vinted, Klarna, HelloFresh and Sony.