TransferWise Could Be London's Next Billion Dollar Startup

London-based currency exchange startup TransferWise is reportedly headed for a valuation close to $1 billion dollars.

The Financial Times reports that US venture capital firm Sequoia Capital is in "advanced discussions" with TransferWise to invest $50 million, and sources involved in the talks claim that the company's valuation is close to $1 billion dollars.

Sequoia Capital isn't the only company interested in TransferWise, though. The Financial Times' sources claim that other US VC funds have expressed interest.

TransferWise was started in 2011 when its two founders, Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus, wanted to send money between the UK and Estonia.

Hinrikus, who was Skype's first employee, was still being paid in kroons, and had to transfer the money to his UK bank account. Käärmann, however, had to send money the other way. They hit upon a scheme that exchanged money between their accounts, resulting in a dramatically lower transfer fee.

The site works as an intermediary for money being transferred around the world. The company now claims to be growing at a rate of 20% to 30% each month, as the service has taken off in Europe.