Aave Labs has officially published the Aave Will Win Alignment Request for Community (ARFC), incorporating extensive community feedback from hundreds of responses during a prior temp check. The framework is designed to direct 100% of product revenue to the Aave DAO treasury under a token-centric model, consolidating operational control and revenue flows to better align incentives between the protocol and its token holders.
After incorporating community feedback, the ARFC for the Aave Will Win Framework has been published.
Aave Will Win is an alignment framework from Aave Labs that directs 100% of product revenue to the Aave DAO treasury under a token-centric model. pic.twitter.com/infIw8nhw7
— Aave (@aave) March 27, 2026
Key Budget and Allocation Changes
Community feedback led to a reshuffling of funds between products and adjustments in token vesting, without reducing the total budget request. A breakdown of the ARFC allocations is as follows:
| Category | Temp Check (Feb 12) | ARFC (Mar 27) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary grant | $25.0M | $25.0M | — |
| Aave App | $5.0M | $7.5M | +$2.5M |
| Aave Pro | $5.0M | $2.5M | -$2.5M |
| Aave Card | $5.0M | $5.0M | — |
| Aave Kit | $2.5M | $2.5M | — |
| Stablecoin subtotal | $42.5M | $42.5M | — |
| AAVE tokens | 75,000 (2-year vest) | 75,000 (4-year vest) | Vesting extended |
| AAVE value @ ~$105 | ~$7.54M | ~$7.54M | — |
| All-in total | ~$50.04M | ~$50.04M | — |
Notable changes include an increase in funding for Aave App, a reduction for Aave Pro, and a vesting extension for AAVE tokens from 2 to 4 years.
Community Perspectives
JosueMpia, a prominent community member, praised the proposal for consolidating responsibilities after the departures of BGD and ACI. He highlighted improvements like the removal of V4 from the ARFC and the transfer of Aave IP to the foundation. However, he also noted that some initiatives may face delays or may not fully materialize, stressing the need for strong KPIs and cut-off mechanisms to ensure accountability and efficient allocation of growth funding.
ApuMallku emphasized the framework’s operational value and the consolidation of efforts under Aave Labs as a positive step for long-term efficiency. Yet, he raised concerns about the AAVE token’s utility and price performance, noting that despite the protocol’s success, the token has struggled to maintain momentum. He encouraged the team to focus on token-holder value accrual, suggesting potential mechanisms like collateralized wstkAAVE and guaranteed GHO rebates.
Why the Aave Will Win Framework Matters
- Revenue Alignment: By directing all product revenue to the DAO treasury, the framework ensures token-holder aligned growth.
- Operational Efficiency: Consolidating responsibilities under Aave Labs addresses staffing gaps and streamlines execution across products.
- Token Utility Focus: While revenue alignment is a step forward, community voices highlight the need to translate protocol success into tangible token value, addressing a long-standing challenge for AAVE holders.
- Community Governance: The ARFC process reflects active community engagement, demonstrating how feedback directly shapes allocation, vesting, and strategic priorities.
Looking Ahead
The Aave Will Win ARFC represents a strategic effort to balance operational capacity, protocol growth, and token-holder value. The framework strengthens Aave’s financial infrastructure, but its success will ultimately depend on effective execution and measurable impact on AAVE token utility.
Community involvement remains critical, ensuring that both the protocol and its token holders “win” as Aave continues evolving its lending ecosystem and revenue streams.
