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Aave’s UK Subsidiaries Receive FCA Crypto Exchange Provider Approval

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Aave Labs’ UK subsidiaries secure FCA registration as cryptoasset exchange providers, following existing EMI authorisation, to create a dual-permissioned framework.
The FCA registration enables Push to operate as a cryptoasset exchange provider, allowing key activities such as exchanging cryptoassets for fiat and vice versa.
The approvals position Aave Labs for expansion in the UK, where crypto regulation is expected to evolve toward a fuller financial services regime by 2026.

Aave Labs’ UK divisions, Push Labs Limited and Push Virtual Assets Limited, have been officially registered as cryptoasset exchange providers by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

With this new approval, added to their current authorization as an Electronic Money Institution, the group now has a strong, two-part system for offering regulated crypto services in the UK.

This advancement is a key part of Aave Labs’ plan to connect the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) with standard financial rules. It aims to make these new financial tools more widely used by creating products that are both easy to use and legally compliant.

Aave Labs’ UK companies, Push Labs Ltd. and Push Virtual Assets Ltd. (collectively known as Push), have been authorized by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a crypto exchange in the United Kingdom.

— Aave (@aave) May 28, 2026

Being registered with the FCA means Push can legally operate as a platform for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, including converting them to traditional money and back. Alongside their existing license for handling electronic money, this new approval allows Push to both issue electronic money and create a complete system for easily converting between traditional currencies and crypto.

UK Regulatory Milestone Enables Full-Stack Fiat-to-Crypto Infrastructure 

Push offers secure and compliant services for both buying and selling digital assets with no fees, setting it apart from most centralized exchanges that charge high fees and spreads.

These approvals support the FCA’s goals of maintaining a fair and reliable financial market, protecting customers, and encouraging competition. For Aave Labs, it allows them to offer more products directly to consumers in the UK, as the country’s rules for crypto are developing towards a comprehensive financial services framework anticipated by 2026.

Stani Kulechov, CEO of Aave Labs, highlighted a significant achievement for the company. In a statement to The Crypto Times, he explained that Aave’s registration as a cryptoasset service provider in the UK, along with its existing authorization, allows them to build and offer innovative, fee-free financial products directly on the blockchain to UK consumers.

Aave, which started in 2017 as ETHLend and was later renamed in 2020, is now a leading platform for decentralized lending and borrowing. It allows users to lend and borrow digital assets without needing a middleman, and has processed trillions of dollars in transactions across various blockchains.

The protocol’s stablecoin, GHO, will likely gain from easier connections to traditional money, making it simpler for newcomers to join the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Synergies with European Expansion Under MiCAR

This latest development in the UK follows recent success in Europe. In November 2025, Push Virtual Assets Ireland Limited received authorization to operate as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU’s new MiCAR regulations, granted by the Central Bank of Ireland.

This license allows crypto companies to offer their services throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) without needing separate approvals in each country.

Ireland’s approval has already enabled fee-free buying and selling of GHO and other stablecoins, allowing users to easily convert between euros and digital currencies with strong consumer safeguards and clear information. Combined with approvals in the UK and Europe, this creates a solid regulatory foundation for Push by Aave Labs, helping them to build and expand their products in key markets.

This strategy aligns with what’s happening across the cryptocurrency industry. With regulators globally increasing scrutiny of crypto, companies such as Aave Labs are focusing on meeting regulations to attract both institutional and everyday investors. The UK’s current rules, which center on registering to prevent money laundering, are setting the stage for more comprehensive regulations in the future.

Strategic Vision: Blending Open Blockchain with Regulated Finance

Aave Labs is combining the security of decentralized blockchain technology with traditional, regulated financial services. They’re focusing on making Push a user-friendly and legally compliant way for a million more people to start using onchain finance.

Stablecoin services with no fees make it much cheaper to get involved with decentralized finance (DeFi) compared to traditional options. This could help more people start using DeFi for everyday things like saving, lending, and making payments.

These recent approvals help Aave move forward with its plans for 2026, which focus on three key areas: improving how efficiently money is used with Aave V4, providing services for institutions interested in real-world assets, and creating a user-friendly Aave app for everyone.

Aave is a leading platform in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, holding trillions in deposits and consistently ranking high in total value locked. Recent progress in regulations within the UK and EU is allowing Aave to grow beyond traditional DeFi and attract interest from established financial institutions with innovative hybrid financial products.

These developments suggest the crypto world is becoming more established. Successfully meeting requirements from regulators like the FCA and MiCAR proves that DeFi platforms can both follow the rules and continue to innovate.

As a researcher in this space, I’ve found that our work helps people securely access opportunities to earn rewards on their assets. Simultaneously, it streamlines processes for businesses, lowering the potential for regulatory issues and making things safer for everyone involved.

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2026-05-28 13:25