- Stani Kulechov denied utilizing a $15M AAVE buy to affect governance
- A proposal over Aave model property was rejected amid group backlash
- Governance course of issues and alignment points stay unresolved
Stani Kulechov, founder and CEO of Aave Labs, has pushed again towards claims that he purchased $15 million value of AAVE tokens to sway a latest and extremely contentious governance vote. The allegation surfaced after a proposal tied to Aave’s model property and mental property didn’t go, igniting recent debate round transparency, alignment, and energy dynamics inside one in all DeFi’s largest protocols.
Kulechov Responds to Vote Manipulation Claims
Kulechov stated the AAVE tokens in query weren’t used to vote on the proposal and had been by no means supposed to affect governance outcomes. He framed the acquisition as a private conviction play slightly than a tactical transfer, emphasizing his long-term dedication to the protocol.
Based on Kulechov, the controversy has uncovered a deeper concern: Aave Labs has not performed a ok job explaining how its merchandise and integrations create worth for the DAO and AAVE token holders. He acknowledged the communication hole and stated future efforts could be extra specific about financial alignment.

What Triggered the Governance Backlash
The dispute facilities on a proposal to convey Aave’s model property and mental property below direct DAO management. Tensions escalated after a DAO member claimed that charges from a latest integration with CoW Swap had been routed to a pockets managed by Aave Labs, with out prior DAO session.
That revelation set off intense group debate, with critics arguing that these charges ought to belong to the DAO and that governance norms had been bypassed. The proposal was in the end rejected, with greater than 55% voting towards it, over 41% abstaining, and simply 3.5% voting in favor.

Neighborhood Frustration and Course of Considerations
Even earlier than voting concluded, a number of DAO members criticized the proposal course of itself, saying it was rushed and didn’t comply with commonplace governance practices. Including to the confusion, Ernesto Boado, a former Aave Labs CTO listed because the proposal’s writer, later acknowledged it was submitted with out his information or consent.
The episode has highlighted ongoing friction between Aave Labs and the DAO, notably round management, transparency, and the way worth flows again to token holders. Whereas the fast proposal is now off the desk, the broader questions it raised stay unresolved.
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