Based in Singapore, Aspire has garnered its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence, signaling its official presence in the European Union.

Setting Up Dutch Operations

The EMI licence will support Aspire’s expansion efforts in the Netherlands and throughout Europe. It provides a framework for Aspire to offer its services to startups, scale-ups, and mid-market companies across the region.

A Strategic Decision: Netherlands as European Base

As part of its international growth strategy, Aspire has committed investment with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and established its European base in the Netherlands. The country’s regulatory environment, ease of doing business, and pivotal position in Europe’s fintech ecosystem were factors that influenced this decision.

Co-Founder and CEO Andrea Baronchelli on the Move

In a statement, Andrea Baronchelli, Co-Founder and CEO of Aspire, highlighted that the EMI licence is instrumental for scaling up their services to support 50,000 existing clients in their international expansion. He also noted its role in delivering Aspire’s unified Financial Operating System to European businesses operating across borders.

Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) Perspective

Hilde van der Meer, Commissioner of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), emphasized that Aspire’s investment in the Netherlands underscores the strength of the Dutch fintech ecosystem and the agency’s commitment to fostering global business growth for Europe.

Other Regulatory Milestones

Aspire continues to make strides with other regulatory approvals. The company has obtained a full Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) and Registered Investment Adviser in the US, paving the way for its planned 2026 US launch.