Aspire, a global fintech headquartered in Singapore, has obtained its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence, establishing the foundation for its operations in the Netherlands and its official entry into the European Union.
The EMI licence unlocks pan-European coverage for Aspire’s clients, supporting their international growth and enhancing access to regulated fintech infrastructure.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
As part of its European launch, Aspire has signed a formal investment commitment with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, selecting the Netherlands as its regional base.
The decision was influenced by the country’s robust regulatory framework, business-friendly environment, and its pivotal role in Europe’s fintech and payments ecosystem.
Aspire co-founder and CEO Andrea Baronchelli said: “Europe is home to some of the world’s most ambitious and globally-minded startups, and they deserve financial infrastructure that matches their pace.
“Securing our EU EMI license is a major milestone – it gives us the regulatory footing to serve our 50,000 existing clients as they expand internationally, while bringing our unified, intelligent Financial Operating System to thousands of European companies that operate across borders from day one.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) has welcomed Aspire’s entry, highlighting the country’s strategic role in Europe’s innovation landscape.
“We are pleased to welcome Aspire to the Netherlands as it establishes its presence in Europe,” said NFIA Commissioner Hilde van der Meer. “Europe continues to be a thriving hub for innovation, and the Netherlands plays a central role in enabling high-growth companies to scale across the region. Aspire’s decision to invest here reinforces the strength of our fintech ecosystem and our commitment to supporting global businesses that contribute to Europe’s economic growth.”
Aspire’s market entry in the Netherlands is being led by Dajana Nozić, who oversees the establishment of the company’s European hub.
In addition, former Revolut executive Akash Kaul has joined Aspire as VP Global Expansion and Growth.
Kaul, who previously managed P&L growth at Revolut Business and helped scale its SME finance platform across more than thirty markets, is now responsible for Aspire’s rollout across the EU.
This European expansion is part of a broader wave of regulatory progress for Aspire in other key international markets.
In Australia, Aspire has been granted a full Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), allowing it to offer its full financial operating system, including multicurrency accounts, payments, cards, and spend management, to Australian businesses.
In the US, Aspire has registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Registered Investment Adviser.
These approvals enable Aspire to provide its broader suite of financial services to US companies and represent a step towards its planned US rollout in 2026.
Earlier in 2024, Aspire secured its Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence in Singapore, expanding its ability to offer regulated investment and yield products to businesses.
Aspire stated that these regulatory milestones position it as a fast-growing fintech platform from Asia, advancing its mission to deliver unified, intelligent financial infrastructure for global-first businesses.
