The Rollup The Aave Will Win Framework with Stani Kulechov
Feb 13, 2026
Stani Kulechov, founder of Aave Labs and architect of the Aave protocol, explains the "Aave Will Win" framework and the plan to route 100% of product revenue to the DAO. He breaks down v4's modular architecture, new revenue lines from consumer apps and cards, brand governance via an independent foundation, and how product autonomy pairs with DAO alignment.
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100% Revenue To The DAO
- The Aave Will Win framework centralizes value capture by directing 100% of product revenue to the AaveDAO.
- This aligns Aave Labs and token holders and turns product revenues into on‑chain token value accrual.
From ETHLend To AIP1 Governance
- Aave began as ETHLend, launched an ICO in 2017, and evolved through DeFi summer into a governance-led protocol.
- AIP1 established protocol revenue flows to the DAO and shaped early governance rules.
Regulation Slowed DeFi Growth
- Regulatory uncertainty over recent years materially slowed DeFi innovation and adoption.
- Aggressive SEC actions increased risk for builders, constraining growth and team contributions.