Aspire, the Singapore-headquartered fintech platform known for providing modern businesses with all-in-one financial solutions, has secured a European Union Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence, marking a pivotal milestone in its global expansion strategy. With this regulatory approval and the establishment of a European hub in the Netherlands, Aspire is now positioned to offer licensed financial services across the continent, deepening its support for clients operating internationally.
The new licence enables Aspire to operate as a regulated EMI under EU rules, allowing the company to offer electronic money services — including business accounts, multi-currency payments, and other fintech infrastructure — to businesses across the European Economic Area (EEA). It reflects both regulatory confidence in the company and its ambition to build a truly global financial operating system for modern businesses.
Strategic Expansion Into Europe
Aspire was founded in 2018 by CEO Andrea Baronchelli and CTO and President Giovanni Casinelli and has grown rapidly into a comprehensive finance platform serving tens of thousands of organisations worldwide. Today, it supports more than 50,000 businesses across over 30 markets, with capabilities ranging from international payments and treasury management to cards and expense tracking.
Securing an EU EMI licence is a major step in Aspire’s evolution, granting it regulatory authority within Europe rather than relying solely on third-party partnerships or foreign licences. The company has chosen the Netherlands as the base for its European operations, underscoring the country’s strong regulatory ecosystem, strategic geographic position, and fintech-friendly business environment.
Alongside the licence approval, Aspire signed a formal investment commitment with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and will be establishing its European headquarters in the Netherlands. This move not only enhances the company’s regulatory readiness but also signals confidence from local authorities in Aspire’s long-term contribution to the European fintech landscape.
To lead the European launch, Aspire has appointed Dajana Nozić to oversee the entry and establishment of operations in the EU. She will be supported by Akash Kaul, a former Revolut executive brought in as Vice President of Global Expansion and Growth. Their leadership is expected to drive market penetration and regional adoption of Aspire’s financial tools.
Implications for Business Banking and Global Fintech
The EMI licence enables Aspire to expand its product offerings directly under a regulated framework that is recognised across the EEA — a critical advantage for fintechs targeting pan-European growth. Aspire’s platform, often described as a financial operating system for modern businesses, integrates business accounts, payments, cards, spend management, and invoicing into a unified suite. With the EMI licence, these services can be deployed at scale for European businesses that operate across borders from day one.
According to CEO Andrea Baronchelli, the regulatory approval gives Aspire the “regulatory footing it needs to support its clients as they expand internationally” and allows the company to bring its unified financial infrastructure to thousands of European companies.
This milestone is part of a broader pattern of global fintech firms seeking regulated entry into Europe to capture the growing demand for business financial services that blend digital first-class UX with compliance and institutional reliability. Unlike legacy banking solutions, licensed fintech platforms like Aspire are able to offer rapid onboarding, multi-currency payment capabilities, and flexible integration — aspects increasingly valued by startups, scale-ups, and mid-market players engaged in international operations.
Conclusion
Aspire’s acquisition of an EU EMI licence and the launch of its European base in the Netherlands mark a significant advancement in the company’s global strategy. This regulatory milestone not only enables compliant service delivery across the European Union, but also strengthens Aspire’s position as a global finance platform tailored for modern business needs.
With dedicated leadership appointed for Europe, an expanding regulatory footprint including licences in Australia and the US, and deepening partnerships with local authorities, Aspire is poised to bring its integrated financial stack to a broader international audience. As demand for cross-border business banking continues to rise, the company’s steps toward pan-European expansion could well define the next stage of its growth trajectory.