On February 12, Aave Labs submitted a comprehensive management proposal focused on Aave V4 and called “Aave Will Win Framework” for community approval. The proposal aims to transfer all income from products under the Aave umbrella to the DAO treasury, institutionalize brand protection and create a token-centered road map in the project. Although this proposal is not yet at the voting stage, it sends a message of change that will leave its mark on the coming period within the current framework.
Reducing Regulatory Pressure in the US Shapes DeFi Strategies
The regulations brought forward by Aave are not just an economic restructuring; It is also based on the impression that the harsh regulations imposed in the USA in the 2022–2024 period are starting to soften. The company directly references that “regulatory clarity is beginning to emerge in some markets.” Data supports this assessment: In its first year under Chairman Paul Atkins, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reduced the number of transactions it processed in the crypto space by one-third compared to the previous year; Fines, however, dropped dramatically. It is also noteworthy that the SEC’s review priorities announced for 2026 give less weight to crypto compared to previous years. Additionally, the voluntary withdrawal of a landmark lawsuit against the agency has drawn links to the Donald Trump administration’s approach to the industry. Similarly, the Ministry of Justice eased sanctions by disbanding the inspection team for crypto platforms.
Corporate Transformation and Product Revenues in the DAO Model
Aave’s proposal aims to draw a more comprehensive corporate structure than traditional tokenomic approaches. If approved, DAO will transfer product revenues from many platforms, including aave.com interface, mobile application, card products, Aave Pro and Horizon, directly to its treasury. The Aave team states that approximately $10 million in annual swap integration revenue and over $100 million with Aave V3 can be directed to the protocol. This financial flow enables the DAO to go beyond being just a governance body and undertake more corporate functions such as brand ownership, capital management and development of regulated products.
Trend of Recapturing Value in DeFi Protocols
Other major protocols in the DeFi ecosystem, such as Uniswap, are taking similar steps. Within the scope of Uniswap’s “UNIfication” road map, opening up of protocol fees and UNI token burning mechanisms are recommended. According to DefiLlama data, it is reported that in Uniswap V2, UNI tokens were taken back and burned with 17 percent of the fees collected on the Ethereum network. Income capture models for shareholders are actively implemented in projects such as Pendle in the sector. In any case, thanks to the data infrastructure, it is possible to measure the fees and values directed to token holders. These tools make it easier for protocols to evolve from historically vague governance token models into structures that generate tangible revenue and become more attractive to institutional investors.
The Future of Regulation and Competition
Aave’s proposal also carries the risks of freezing practices such as revenue capture or directing projects abroad if legal pressures increase again. If product revenues fail to meet expectations or competing protocols offer more attractive financial models, the attractiveness of the offering may diminish. Additionally, if agencies such as the SEC or the Department of Justice change their approach and consider revenue diversions as securities violations, their entire value capture strategy could be disrupted.
New Era and Different Possibilities in DeFi
Three basic scenarios are discussed before us. First, legal flexibility remains and more DAOs are formalizing their revenue streams. Secondly, even if there is improvement in the legislation, protocols develop cautious models due to selective sanctions. Finally, it is possible that the protocols will take a defensive position again due to tightening in regulation and pressures from outside the sector. In any case, the SEC’s and other regulators’ approach to crypto remains the most important factor that will determine the future of applications such as revenue sharing.
