Aave Founder’s Bold Move: Proposes Revenue Sharing With AAVE Token Holders Following DAO Clash

Aave's founder just lobbed a grenade into the DAO's quiet pond—proposing a direct revenue share for AAVE token holders. This isn't just a feature update; it's a potential power shift.

The Governance Gambit

The proposal cuts straight to the heart of decentralized governance: who really benefits from protocol success? It bypasses complex treasury mechanisms, aiming to funnel a slice of fees directly back to the stakers and voters holding the token. Think of it as a dividend, but for the crypto-native set.

Tokenomics on Trial

This move re-frames AAVE from a pure governance instrument to a potential yield-bearing asset. It answers the perennial investor question—"What's the utility?"—with a concrete, financial answer. It’s a play to boost holder loyalty and attract fresh capital, all while subtly reminding everyone that in DeFi, code is law until a human proposes a better one.

The proposal now faces the ultimate test: a DAO vote. Will the collective see it as a fair reward for alignment or a risky precedent? One thing's clear—in the race for relevance among blue-chip DeFi tokens, standing still is the real risk. After all, what’s a little internal clash compared to the sweet, sweet sound of revenue sharing? It almost makes you believe in decentralized finance… until the next governance drama unfolds.

The failed vote brought existing tensions to the surface. Some delegates accused AAVE Labs of holding too much control over revenue from frontend swap fees and key communication channels like domains and social media accounts.

Kulechov’s recent $15 million Aave purchase made things worse. Critics claimed he was trying to influence the vote. He denied it, saying the purchase reflected personal conviction.

The recent DAO vote has wrapped up, and it has raised important questions about the relationship between Aave Labs and $AAVE token holders. This is a productive discussion that’s essential for the long-term health of Aave.

While it's been a bit hectic, debate and disagreement…

Kulechov Says Aave Is at a Crossroads

In a post on Aave’s governance forum, Kulechov laid out his concerns about the protocol’s future.

He said Aave’s current lending activity is too dependent on ETH, BTC, and leverage-based strategies tied to crypto market cycles. That model works, but it has limits.

“I believe Aave has the potential to support a $500 trillion asset base through RWAs and other assets over the coming decades,” he wrote.

To get there, Kulechov pointed to Aave V4. The upgrade introduces a modular design that can support real-world assets, institutional credit, and consumer products without putting the core protocol at risk. GHO, Aave’s stablecoin, WOULD play a central role in future yield and savings products.

What the New Proposal Will Cover

Kulechov confirmed a formal proposal is on the way. It will explain how revenue made outside the core protocol, from the Aave app, swap integrations, and future products, could FLOW back to AAVE holders.

“We are committed to sharing revenue generated outside the protocol with token holders,” he said.

The proposal will also address control of the Aave brand, including websites, domains, and social accounts. DAO safeguards will be part of the package.

SEC Probe Ends, TVL Holds Strong

Last month, the SEC closed its multi-year investigation into Aave without taking action. That removes a major overhang.

DAO delegates have welcomed the shift but want clear, enforceable terms. The upcoming vote will decide whether the new framework moves forward.