Aave Labs’ United Kingdom subsidiaries, Push Labs Ltd. and Push Virtual Assets Ltd., have secured registration as cryptoasset exchange providers from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This development signifies a crucial step for one of the leading decentralized finance protocols in establishing a regulated operational presence within the UK.
The dual approvals, which complement an existing Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorization held by the subsidiaries, provide Aave Labs with a comprehensive regulatory framework for developing and offering regulated payment infrastructure. This dual-permissioned status under UK anti-money laundering regulations and electronic money issuance rules positions the company to legally operate in the jurisdiction.
Key Takeaways
- Aave Labs’ UK entities, Push Labs Ltd. and Push Virtual Assets Ltd., have obtained FCA registration as cryptoasset exchange providers.
- These subsidiaries already possess FCA authorization as Electronic Money Institutions, enabling them to issue electronic money.
- The regulatory approvals facilitate the introduction of a zero-fee fiat on-and-off ramp for Aave users in the UK.
- Aave Labs also holds a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland, covering operations across the European Economic Area (EEA).
- The company is focused on expanding into regulated consumer financial products, including the Aave V4 upgrade and the GHO stablecoin.
The immediate strategic objective stemming from these approvals is the launch of a zero-fee service that allows users to seamlessly transition funds between their bank accounts and the Aave platform directly within the application. This integration aims to simplify user experience and adoption.
Aave Labs founder and CEO, Stani Kulechov, stated that the FCA EMI authorization and cryptoasset registrations create the necessary regulatory foundation for introducing advanced, zero-fee on-chain consumer financial products in the UK market. This aligns with the company’s broader ambition to bridge decentralized finance with regulated financial services.
Expansion and Regulatory Landscape
These UK approvals are part of Aave Labs’ ongoing strategy to expand its regulated operations across Europe. In November 2025, the firm’s Irish subsidiary, Push Virtual Assets Ireland Ltd., was granted a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland. This Irish license grants Aave Labs the ability to operate across the entire EEA.
Aave Labs is recognized as the principal contributor to the Aave protocol, which is currently the largest on-chain credit market based on total value locked, according to data from The Block. The Aave Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) previously approved a $25 million funding grant for Aave Labs in April, supporting its development initiatives, including the rollout of Aave V4 and its GHO stablecoin, as part of a concerted effort to penetrate the regulated consumer finance sector.
The timing of Aave Labs’ regulatory advancements in the UK is notable, as the FCA is actively progressing its comprehensive crypto licensing regime. The regulator has been engaging in consultations concerning stablecoin issuance, trading platforms, and custody rules, with a formal licensing gateway slated to open in September 2026. The broader regulatory framework is anticipated to be implemented by October 2027.
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