Aave Labs has introduced a new governance proposal titled the “Aave Will Win Framework”, aiming to restructure how revenue is captured and distributed within the Aave ecosystem. The plan centers on directing 100% of revenue from Aave-branded products to the Aave DAO treasury under what is described as a token-centric model.
The proposal has generated significant discussion within the community, particularly due to a $50 million funding request attached to the plan.
Read also: Why Presales Are Often Registered in Offshore Jurisdictions
What Is Being Proposed?
Under the framework, all revenue generated from Aave-branded products would flow directly to the DAO. This includes income from aave.com, the Aave mobile app, Aave Card, Aave Pro, Aave Kit, and Aave Horizon.
In addition to revenue redirection at the product layer, the proposal outlines new monetization features within Aave V4, the protocol’s upcoming upgrade. V4 is presented as the long-term technical foundation for the ecosystem and would introduce mechanisms designed to capture more value at the protocol level.
The framework also includes the creation of a foundation to manage and protect the Aave brand. According to the proposal, this structure is intended to formalize brand stewardship while the DAO continues to govern the protocol’s economics.
Read also: Aave DAO Rejects Proposal to Transfer Brand Ownership
The $50 Million Funding Request
In exchange for redirecting product revenue to the DAO, Aave Labs is requesting up to $50 million in funding.
The package includes $25 million in stablecoins as a primary grant, an additional $17.5 million in milestone-based payments tied to product launches, and 75,000 AAVE tokens that would vest over time. The stablecoin grants would be streamed gradually, while milestone payments would be released upon completion of specified deliverables.
The 75,000 AAVE token allocation has drawn attention because governance tokens carry voting power within the DAO.
Read also: Vitalik Buterin Moves to Decentralized Social Media in 2026
Governance Concerns
Several community members have raised concerns regarding the size of the funding request and its structure. Some have suggested unbundling the proposal into separate votes covering revenue alignment, V4 ratification, foundation creation, and funding.
There have also been calls for clearer definitions of what constitutes “100% revenue”, as well as requests for independent verification of product income flowing to the DAO. In addition, some delegates have asked for wallet disclosures related to the proposed AAVE token allocation.
These discussions come amid broader conversations about governance structure, voting power concentration, and transparency within the ecosystem.
Read also: The Fall of Mantra (OM): 2025’s Biggest Crypto Disaster
Revenue vs. Value Accrual
While the proposal focuses on consolidating revenue at the DAO level, some community members have emphasized the distinction between treasury growth and direct value accrual for AAVE token holders.
The framework outlines a growth-oriented strategy centered on expansion, product launches, and acceleration toward V4. However, questions remain regarding how increased treasury revenue may translate into structural benefits for token holders over the long term.
Read also: Are You Really Getting In Early in Crypto Presales?
What Happens Next?
The current vote is a temperature check intended to gauge community sentiment before any binding onchain vote takes place. If the proposal advances, it would move through additional governance stages before funds are distributed.
The outcome will determine whether Aave transitions to a fully DAO-funded product model and formally adopts V4 as its long-term strategic direction, alongside the proposed foundation structure.
