Aave Labs gets FCA approval for 2 UK crypto licenses

Aave Labs’ UK subsidiaries, Push Labs Limited and Push Virtual Assets Limited, have officially received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as crypto asset exchanges in the United Kingdom. Each company has been granted FCA registration numbers 1031720 and 1031721, allowing them to conduct business in full compliance with British regulations.

Dual FCA approval and compliance path

With these licenses, Aave Labs’ entities are now legally permitted to offer digital asset exchange services in the country. The companies have met all the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism finance requirements that have been in force since 2017, enabling a more transparent and secure environment for financial transactions in the UK’s digital asset sector.

The FCA’s AML regime addresses risks related to money laundering, terrorist funding, and illicit transfers. Aave Labs’ UK subsidiaries have fully conformed to both the legal framework and technical standards necessary to mitigate such risks and operate safely.

With the FCA’s green light, the two London-based branches of Aave Labs can now provide legitimate crypto exchange services throughout the United Kingdom.

Following this official approval, the companies are structured to enable institutional clients to carry out compliant and secure blockchain transactions. The set-up also paves the way for greater transparency in partnerships with local banks.

A dual-licensed model: Crypto and EMI

The dual registration approach in the UK brings together licenses for both electronic money institution (EMI) services and crypto asset exchange activities. This structure, still rare in the industry, allows Aave to offer seamless transactions in both fiat (such as British pounds) and digital assets, increasing flexibility for clients.

The licensing enables the company to manage all operational processes in-house without the need for intermediary banks or financial institutions. Notably, the service plans include zero-commission stablecoin deposits and withdrawals, giving British users a highly competitive on-ramp and off-ramp for regulated digital assets.

Mini glossary: An Electronic Money Institution (EMI) is a licensed financial entity authorized in Europe and the UK to issue digital money and provide payment and transfer services.

By combining both licenses, Aave Labs gains a significant competitive advantage, standing out among Web3 companies in the UK.

European expansion and regulatory strategy

This robust move in the UK comes alongside rapid growth across Europe. In November 2025, Aave Labs secured registration as a virtual asset service provider in Ireland, earning regulatory legitimacy in both the UK and the broader European Economic Area (EEA).

The Irish license, obtained under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, demonstrates Aave Labs’ intent to operate within heavily regulated and lucrative European markets, not just in the UK but also throughout the EU.

Thanks to these licenses, Aave Labs can now develop standardized institutional products and services for multiple European countries, offering consumers more practical and secure decentralized payment solutions.