Aspire Successfully Secures EU EMI License and Expands to Netherlands

Aspire Expands into Europe with EU EMI License

Aspire, the Singapore-based fintech giant, has taken a significant step forward by securing its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in the European Union, allowing it to officially establish its operations in the Netherlands. This regulatory achievement marks a critical milestone as it enables Aspire to expand its reach throughout the European market, paving the way for enhanced financial services tailored to startups, scale-ups, and mid-market companies across the region.

In an official announcement made on December 16, 2025, Aspire shared that it has chosen the Netherlands as its European hub after formalizing an investment commitment with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The decision is based on the Netherlands' enviable regulatory framework, business-friendly environment, and its strategic position within Europe’s fintech and payments landscape.

Aspire's Vision in Europe

Andrea Baronchelli, Co-Founder and CEO of Aspire, expressed great enthusiasm regarding this expansion. He believes that Europe is rich with ambitious startups that require a robust financial infrastructure to sustain their growth. "Securing our EU EMI license is a significant achievement; it empowers us to better serve our existing 50,000 clients as they navigate international markets and brings our advanced Financial Operating System to countless European companies from the outset,” he stated.

Aspire’s arrival in Europe is expected to be a boon for the local economy, as it aligns with the Dutch government's goal to bolster innovative businesses. Hilde van der Meer of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) welcomed Aspire to the region, highlighting that the Netherlands is increasingly becoming a hub for high-growth companies and innovation.

Leadership and Market Strategy

Dajana Nozić will spearhead Aspire's operations in the Netherlands, overseeing market entry and the establishment of its local hub. To enhance its expansion efforts in Europe, Aspire has also appointed Akash Kaul, formerly of Revolut, as the VP of Global Expansion and Growth. Kaul's impressive track record includes scaling Revolut Business across more than 30 markets, which will be invaluable as Aspire enters new territories within the EU.

Aspire’s foray into the European market follows a series of significant regulatory achievements in other regions. In Australia, for instance, the company obtained a full Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), enabling it to directly provide a comprehensive Financial OS to local businesses, inclusive of multicurrency accounts, payments, cards, and expenditure management. In the United States, Aspire has registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) and with the SEC as a Registered Investment Adviser, enhancing its capacity to serve U.S. companies ahead of a planned rollout in 2026. Additionally, just earlier this year, Aspire secured its Capital Markets Services (CMS) license in Singapore, further expanding its offer of regulated investment and yield products.

A Bold Vision for the Future

Aspire’s series of strategic regulatory achievements position it as a formidable player in the fintech industry, aiming to deliver a unified and intelligent financial infrastructure for global-first businesses. By providing innovative solutions that ease the burden of financial management for companies worldwide, Aspire is set to strengthen its foothold in the competitive fintech landscape.

As Aspire embarks on this ambitious European journey, the company remains committed to supporting businesses as they scale and evolve in an increasingly interconnected world. With its experienced team and innovative offerings, Aspire looks poised to make a lasting impact on the financial services landscape in Europe and beyond.