Where to buy Aave (AAVE)

The two platforms, honestly compared

Aave is listed on both major Dutch exchanges. AAVE is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, so the buying decision is fee arithmetic and the storage question is the Ethereum storage question.

• Bitvavo — 400+ assets, volume-tiered fees, free deposits. The larger catalogue.
• Finst — flat 0.15%, no added spread, flexible staking. Cheaper default for most purchases.

What buying AAVE actually costs

Free EUR deposits and withdrawals on both. Finst’s flat 0.15% beats Bitvavo’s 0.25% base taker fee for typical buys; Bitvavo’s tiers take over at volume. Withdrawals: Bitvavo charges only the Ethereum network fee, Finst adds a €2.50 baseline.

Worked example — a €1,000 AAVE purchase:

• Finst: €1,000 × 0.15% = €1.50 in fees, no added spread.
• Bitvavo: €1,000 × 0.25% = €2.50 at the base taker tier.

Withdraw once: the Ethereum network fee on Bitvavo (often €1–3, higher during congestion), or that plus €2.50 on Finst.

How to buy AAVE step by step

1. Create an account on Bitvavo or Finst and complete ID verification.
2. Deposit EUR — free SEPA or iDEAL on both.
3. Place your order — market for instant execution, or a limit order at your price.
4. Decide where the AAVE lives — custodial until you withdraw it.
5. Withdraw to an Ethereum wallet — AAVE is an ERC-20; the receiving address is a 0x address on the Ethereum network. Send a small test amount first.

The ERC-20 detail

AAVE runs on Ethereum, so:

• Any Ethereum wallet works — MetaMask, Rabby, Trust Wallet, or hardware wallets all hold AAVE.
• Gas fees apply — Ethereum network fees are the real cost of moving the token; batch withdrawals so you pay once.
• Never pick a different network — if you later deposit AAVE to a DeFi platform, always confirm it is Ethereum mainnet (or the platform’s explicitly supported network).

Storing AAVE

AAVE is an ERC-20 token, so the wallet answer is the Ethereum answer: a self-custody EVM wallet (MetaMask, Rabby, Trust Wallet) or a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor). See our guide to the best wallets for Ethereum tokens.

After you buy

An exchange balance is custodial — Bitvavo and Finst hold your AAVE for you. For anything you plan to keep, withdraw to a self-custody wallet on the Ethereum network (never a different network).

The AAVE checklist

Before you confirm an AAVE withdrawal, run these five checks:

• Network: the withdrawal must say Ethereum mainnet — AAVE is an ERC-20.
• Address: the receiving address is a 0x address from your own wallet.
• Gas: the exchange shows the Ethereum network fee before confirming — batch withdrawals to pay once.
• Test amount: move a small amount first and confirm it lands.
• Backup: the recovery phrase is stored offline and tested before you hold a meaningful balance.

The fee difference between the platforms matters less than getting these five right.

Who should buy on which platform

• DeFi users — AAVE’s value is in lending markets; keep it in a wallet you control rather than on an exchange if you plan to interact with those markets.
• One-time buyers — Finst’s flat 0.15% is cheaper for a single position.
• Frequent movers — Bitvavo’s network-fee-only withdrawals win if you withdraw AAVE regularly; the €2.50 Finst baseline is avoidable.

Exchanges compared

Verified 6 Aug 2026.

How we evaluate

Every recommendation is based on our published methodology: we separate self-custody wallets, hardware wallets, custodial exchanges and buying platforms, and score each with its own criteria. We label everything as hands-on tested, documentation reviewed, or not yet tested. Commissions never determine rankings.

Read our full methodology

Sources & evidence

• OfficialBitvavo — Aave listing ↗
• OfficialFinst — Aave listing ↗
• OfficialBitvavo — fees ↗
• OfficialFinst — fees ↗

Changelog

• 8 Aug 2026Expanded to full buy anatomy: step-by-step purchase flow, worked fee examples and ERC-20 withdrawal guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aave listed on Bitvavo?

Yes — Bitvavo lists AAVE for trading and withdrawals, with free SEPA/iDEAL deposits and MiCA authorisation (AFM).

Is Aave listed on Finst?

Yes — Finst lists AAVE for spot trading with SEPA/iDEAL deposits, flat 0.15% fees and MiCA authorisation (AFM).

Can I withdraw AAVE from Bitvavo or Finst?

Yes — both support withdrawals to external wallets on the Ethereum network. Bitvavo charges only the network fee; Finst adds a €2.50 fixed baseline per crypto withdrawal.

Which exchange is cheaper for buying AAVE?

For typical purchases Finst's flat 0.15% beats Bitvavo's 0.25% base taker fee; Bitvavo's tiers win at volume. Withdrawals: Bitvavo passes on only the Ethereum network fee, Finst adds a €2.50 baseline — and since AAVE is an ERC-20, the withdrawal network selection (Ethereum mainnet, not a sidechain) matters more than the fee itself.

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