Aave Labs Proposes Cayman Foundation for Aave Brand and IP

Aave Labs has submitted a proposal to create a Cayman Islands foundation that would hold the Aave brand and intellectual property (IP) for the Aave DAO. The foundation, which would be set up under the Cayman Islands Foundation Companies Act as a memberless entity, would have its directors appointed and removed solely through Aave Improvement Proposals (AIPs).

The proposal, titled '[ARFC] The Aave Foundation, Phase 1,' is not asking for any trademark transfers or domain changes at this time. Instead, it seeks to create a container for the foundation's eventual assets.

This move follows commitments made in February 2026's 'Aave Will Win Framework,' which aimed to create a secure, community-backed vehicle for stewarding the Aave brand and its IP. The proposal is seen as an attempt to address long-running tensions between Aave Labs and the DAO over revenue flows and brand asset management.

The foundation would be limited to protecting and licensing intellectual property, with the DAO retaining authority over key protocol decisions. Quarterly reports to the governance forum would cover the foundation's assets and activities.