Aave Labs is preparing a revenue-sharing plan that could change how value flows to AAVE holders after a tense governance dispute over fees and brand control.

Stani Kulechov, the founder and CEO of Aave Labs, said on January 2 that the company will soon bring a formal proposal to the community. 

The plan focuses on sharing revenue earned outside the main lending protocol with AAVE token holders. 

His message came after weeks of public friction between the company and DAO members over who should benefit from Aave-branded products and interfaces.

Tensions rose in December when critics argued that Aave Labs kept some revenue from app.aave.com, the front-end many users rely on to access the protocol. 

They said the income should have gone to the DAO instead. 

The disagreement pushed the community to vote on whether core “brand assets”, including naming rights, social accounts, and the aave.com domain, should be placed fully under DAO control.

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What Does Aave’s Revenue-Sharing Proposal Mean for DAO Governance and the AAVE Crypto?

The upcoming proposal now sits at the center of that debate, and the Aave community is waiting to see how far the new revenue-sharing plan will go.

The vote ended on December 26 with 55% against, 41% abstaining, and just 3.5% in favor. The result showed how divided one of DeFi’s largest communities has become.

Kulechov didn’t offer details in his forum post, but he promised a “formal proposal” with clear structures. He also said the plan would include “sufficient guardrails” around branding. 

That point has become central for delegates who want any Aave-branded monetization to remain transparent and firmly tied to governance.

As per Coingecko data, AAVE crypto traded near $176 on Wednesday, up about +2.8% in the past day, with roughly $348 million in volume.

Market Cap

Inside the DAO, long time delegate Marc Zeller described the clash as a matter of trust. He wrote that “roughly $500M” in AAVE’s market cap disappeared after the dispute went public.

The proposal arrives at a time when Aave crypto remains one of DeFi’s strongest profit engines. 

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Can AAVE Crypto Reclaim the $180 Level Soon?

Market action has added another layer of attention. AAVE crypto is trying to shift its trend after a long corrective stretch, with the daily chart showing firmer footing at the start of 2026. 

The token is trading near $174 after a 2% gain, marking its first sustained move above a descending resistance line that has blocked rallies for months.

Before this break, AAVE crypto slid from the $340–$360 supply zone and formed a series of lower highs through November and December. 

A rising green support line is now guiding a rebound from the $150 area, creating a narrow bullish channel.

Momentum signals also look better. Buyers are defending dips and keeping price action above short-term resistance. 

The first test sits near $180, while the wider range top remains much higher, leaving traders focused on whether this early push can turn into a broader trend change.

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Key Takeaways

  • Critics argued that Aave Labs kept some revenue from app.aave.com, the front-end many users rely on to access the protocol. 

  • Aave community is waiting to see how far the new revenue-sharing plan will go.

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jrmiller
jrmiller

Jonathan R. Miller is a junior writer based in Columbus, Ohio, with a growing focus on blockchain technology, digital assets, and fintech innovation. With a background in economics and communications, Jonathan began covering cryptocurrency in 2022 through freelance research projects... Read More

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