Aave Founder Signals Strategic Reset After DAO Rejects Brand Control Proposal

Highlights:

• Aave Founder said the protocol needs growth beyond lending to stay competitive.
• Aave Labs plans to share some revenue with AAVE token holders.
• The community debates will now focus on who controls revenue and decisions.

Aave founder, Stani Kulechov, has reacted to the mounting tension in the community after a governance vote could not resolve ownership issues. The vote centered on brand assets and intellectual property associated with the protocol. Nevertheless, the result caused broader discussion regarding incentives and control. The members started to ask how the ecosystem should distribute value in the long run.

💥 AAVE'S NEW FRONTIER UNFOLDS

Aave founder Stani Kulechov is charting a bold post-governance path, pushing beyond DeFi lending into RWAs, institutional products, and consumer finance.

What will this expanded vision mean for AAVE holders?#Aave #DeFi #RWA #Crypto #Web3

— Seven (@SevenWinse) January 2, 2026

Uncertainty around growth has also shaped the conversation. DeFi lending no longer assures robust growth regardless of market cycles. Hence, various voices within the community have advocated for more concrete planning in the long term. The unsuccessful vote served as a catalyst for these issues as it revealed tensions that had accumulated over the years.

Community Debate Deepens Over Direction and Value Flow

The outcome of the vote showed the tension between token holders and core contributors. One of the questions that many participants raised was the impact of decisions on long-term sustainability. Some community members also raised concerns about revenue distribution. Some of them argued that value should flow more directly to token holders. Other members stressed the need to fund ongoing development work. The debate now centers on balance rather than control alone, and this shift has shaped recent governance conversations.

Market conditions have added pressure to these talks. DeFi growth has cooled compared to earlier cycles. Hence, large protocols are now facing tougher strategic choices. The governance dispute has forced these issues into the open, and it has increased calls for clearer alignment.

Aave Founder Frames Broader Growth Path Beyond Core Lending

Aave Founder Stani Kulechov addressed these concerns in a governance forum post. He said lending alone may not support the next growth phase. Instead, he pointed to real-world assets and institutional credit as the solutions for the next phase. He also mentioned consumer-focused financial products as areas that will open access to much larger markets.

He also focused the discussion on alignment between builders and token holders. Aave Labs plans to share non-protocol revenue with AAVE holders. This change would expand how the token captures value. In particular, it would move beyond governance participation alone. He said a formal proposal will outline the structure.

Kulechov also acknowledged resistance to earlier branding ideas. He said future proposals will reflect community feedback. Meanwhile, he highlighted real-world assets as a key opportunity. He linked that sector to the size of global financial markets. His message aimed to shift focus toward long-term growth.

In 2025, @aave became the largest DeFi protocol ever, flipping 16 U.S. banks in the process. pic.twitter.com/d8FP0qI1a0

— Kolten (@0xKolten) January 1, 2026

Swap Revenue Dispute Adds Pressure to Governance Talks

The debate was further strained by disagreement regarding swap fees. Some trades are routed by means of external services associated with the protocol. Members of the community did not agree on who to pay those fees. This conflict has indicated underlying issues of finances and control.

The tension increased after Kulechov bought a large amount of AAVE tokens. Critics questioned whether the move aimed to influence voting. He rejected that claim and cited personal conviction. However, the purchase increased scrutiny around governance fairness. The community is now awaiting clearer rules to reduce future conflict.

In a recent development, Stani Kulechov commented on the new tax rules in the United Kingdom. He said the changes help define how DeFi transactions fit within the system. He added that clarity often supports wider adoption and noted that clear rules can increase user confidence. The remarks support his view on long-term ecosystem growth.

Meanwhile, Aave Labs has proceeded with regulatory expansion in Europe. The company was licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. The license permits its subsidiary, Push Virtual Assets Ireland Limited, to conduct euro-to-crypto ramps throughout the European Economic Area. The move enhances compliance as governance debates persist.