Aave Labs has proposed a strategic “Aave Will Win” framework that would direct 100% of revenue from Aave-branded products to the Aave DAO treasury.
The proposal, unveiled on Thursday, 12 February 2026, aims to settle nearly a year of internal friction over brand control and technical direction by formally aligning the company’s incentives with the decentralized cooperative.
The proposed framework asks the DAO to ratify Aave V4 as its foundational technology for future growth while establishing a sustainable budget for continued development.
In exchange for the revenue share, which includes income from the aave.com interface, the upcoming Aave App, Aave Card, and institutional tools, Aave Labs is requesting an upfront grant of $5 million and a $20 million stream over one year to cover operational costs.
Resolving the “slow-motion coup” controversy
Following internal disunity, prompted by Aave Labs rerouting millions in interface swap fees to its own accounts in late 2025 instead of the DAO treasury, Aave Labs founder Stani Kulechov proposes the “Aave Will Win” framework.
This framework formalizes a “token-centric model” by directing all future business line revenues, including $10 million in annual swap income, to the DAO. The goal is to position the AAVE token as the main beneficiary of ecosystem growth, potentially funding increased token buybacks and safety module rewards
Record growth in 2025
This proposition follows a record 2025, in which the Aave DAO earned $140 million, surpassing the combined earnings of the prior three years. Aave dominates the decentralized lending market with a 60% share and over $26 billion in deposits.
The framework aims to leverage this success by integrating with traditional finance under a clear regulatory and branding structure. If passed, the DAO will also own Aave’s trademarks through a new Aave Foundation, thereby securing the brand as a public good. The “Aave Will Win” framework, V4’s proven market resilience, and the retirement of the Avara brand collectively signal Aave Labs’ strategic commitment to a unified, laser-focused core DeFi mission.
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