Aave Labs Proposes Cayman Foundation to Hold Aave Brand and IP

Aave Labs has submitted a governance proposal to the Aave DAO, seeking to establish a memberless foundation in the Cayman Islands to hold the Aave brand and intellectual property (IP). The foundation, which would be set up under the Cayman Islands Foundation Companies Act, would have a limited scope, focusing on protecting and licensing the Aave brand and IP. The proposal, titled '[ARFC] The Aave Foundation, Phase 1,' was submitted on October 2, 2026, and seeks to create a container for the foundation with no initial assets or funding attached.

The foundation's directors would be appointed and removed through Aave Improvement Proposals (AIPs), and Aave Labs and its affiliates would be explicitly barred from holding any roles within the foundation. The proposal also calls for quarterly reports to the governance forum, which would cover the foundation's assets and legal activities.

The creation of the foundation is part of the 'Aave Will Win Framework,' which aims to create a secure, community-backed vehicle for stewarding the Aave brand and its IP. The framework was established in February 2026, and the proposal is a key step in implementing its goals. The outcome of the proposal is uncertain, and Aave DAO members will need to vote on the proposal before it can move forward.