DeFi Lending Platform Aave Reveals V4 Protocol Upgrade Plans

As a seasoned crypto investor with a strong interest in decentralized finance (DeFi), I find the Aave Labs’ roadmap for the next five years particularly exciting. The proposed upgrades to the Aave Network, including the addition of a cross-chain liquidity layer and deployment on non-Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) layer-1, are promising steps towards expanding the reach and functionality of the protocol.


Aave Labs, the team behind decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol Aave, has unveiled their proposed roadmap for the next five years. Their primary focus is on upgrading the platform to version 4, which they believe will bring significant improvements. However, they are eager to gather community feedback regarding this planned upgrade. It’s important to note that the V4 upgrade is just a piece of Aave Labs’ broader vision as outlined in their 2030 grant proposal.

Aave V4: The Proposal

The proposal put forth by Aave Labs calls for significant enhancements and extensions to the existing Aave Network. According to the team, these improvements will result in several key advancements. Among them are the integration of a cross-chain liquidity layer, the deployment of non-ETH-VM layer-1 solutions, and a revamped visual identity for a more modern look.

As an analyst, I’ve observed that the upcoming Aave V4 upgrade comes with significant changes. Instead of the previous architecture, this new version will be built on an entirely novel framework. Yet, to ensure a smooth transition and integration of key features like native stablecoin GHO, isolation pools, and RWA modules, the team plans to introduce a “Unified Liquidity Layer”.

One section of the proposal discusses an automated interest rate function capable of responding to market fluctuations. In accordance with this, Aave is collaborating with Chainlink to establish a definitive collection of data sources. Additionally, Aave proposes the implementation of Liquidity Premiums, which take into account the borrower’s collateral makeup and adjust their borrowing expenses accordingly.

Hopes for GHO

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed that the recent proposal brings some exciting upgrades to the table, with a significant focus on enhancing our protocol’s algorithmic stablecoin, GHO. Ever since its launch in July 2023, GHO has been facing tough competition from well-established players like Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC). Based on its current market capitalization of $49 million, it’s clear that GHO has some ground to cover.

As a crypto investor, I’m excited about the proposed upgrades for Aave V4. One intriguing aspect is the potential enhancement of the liquidation engine. This could include features like adjustable liquidation bonuses and more lenient “soft” liquidations. Additionally, there are suggestions to introduce earning opportunities for interest, which could significantly increase the value of GHO (Gauge Holder Tokens) for me and other investors.

The major update introduces a swift refund process in case GHO depegs. Though this is a fresh proposal, it aims to finish soliciting feedback by Q2 2024, which will subsequently trigger an on-chain vote. Assuming all goes as planned, the team projects launching the complete Aave V4 by mid-2025.

As a DeFi market analyst, I can tell you that according to DefiLlama’s latest figures, Aave currently holds the third-largest position among decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols with approximately $10 billion worth of assets locked in.

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2024-05-02 11:45