Ireland becomes DeFi gateway as Aave Labs wins MiCA approval for fiat-crypto bridge
The Central Bank of Ireland granted the licence through Aave’s local subsidiary.
Push allows users to convert euros to crypto assets, including GHO, with no fees.
Ireland is emerging as a hub for regulated decentralised finance in Europe.
Decentralised finance infrastructure took a decisive step into Europe’s regulated fintech ecosystem as Aave Labs secured authorisation under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
The regulatory nod, granted by the Central Bank of Ireland, enables Aave Labs’ fiat-to-crypto platform, Push, to operate across the European Economic Area (EEA).
This means European users can now convert between euros and digital assets, including Aave’s native stablecoin, GHO, without relying on centralised exchanges.
The approval makes Push one of the first DeFi-native platforms legally authorised to offer stablecoin ramps in Europe.
Operated through Push Virtual Assets Ireland Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, the platform introduces zero-fee euro-crypto conversions, giving it a price advantage over traditional financial service providers and exchanges.
However, Aave Labs did not clarify whether this pricing model is permanent.
Aave’s decision to launch Push from Ireland reinforces the country’s position as a rising regulatory hub for digital assets in Europe.
Push targets centralised exchange reliance on stablecoin onboarding
Push aims to eliminate the friction associated with fiat on-ramping by creating a direct, regulated pathway between euros and crypto assets within Aave’s ecosystem.
The platform’s focus on euro liquidity and GHO integration supports the broader goal of reducing DeFi’s reliance on centralised exchanges for stablecoin access.
Aave Labs described regulatory infrastructure as essential to onboarding the next wave of mainstream DeFi users.
With Push, the protocol creates a gateway for users and developers to interact with stablecoins under a framework that complies with MiCA’s legal and auditing requirements.
That assurance of regulatory transparency is particularly relevant as stablecoin use continues to expand in lending, borrowing, and yield farming protocols.
Stablecoin regulation fuels Europe’s crypto market integration
MiCA’s stablecoin framework plays a central role in enabling services like Push to thrive.
The legislation, which came into effect earlier in 2025, establishes clear rules for stablecoin issuance and crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) in the EU.
Aave’s authorisation under MiCA signals that regulators are increasingly open to DeFi-native firms participating in the financial system, so long as compliance benchmarks are met.
As a DeFi-first platform offering institutional-grade liquidity, Aave’s move to operate within MiCA guidelines marks a turning point in how decentralised services are integrated with traditional financial structures.
Push’s entry is likely to be watched closely by peers and competitors, especially as the stablecoin sector continues to scale at pace.
While Push currently centres on euro and GHO conversions, the groundwork laid in Ireland could see broader service expansions as MiCA regulations continue to shape Europe’s crypto infrastructure.
Aave’s success may prompt other DeFi protocols to follow suit, potentially turning the EEA into a hub for regulated stablecoin innovation.
