Aave Hits Record Growth in DeFi as Token Price Faces Bearish Pressure

The Aave decentralized finance protocol is experiencing significant growth, with weekly revenue surpassing $3 million and total deposits climbing above $56 billion, both setting new all-time highs. This surge reflects increased user trust and participation in DeFi, bolstered by institutional adoption through VanEck's tokenized treasury fund, VBILL, which integrates traditional finance with on-chain lending via Chainlink's NAVLink for verified collateral.

Despite these achievements, the $AAVE token has fallen 66% from its 2021 peak and is down 39% compared to last December. A $50 million buyback program, initiated in May 2025, has repurchased over 114,000 tokens worth $22 million, but failed to stem the decline. Analyst Ignas | DeFi noted that decreased demand for airdrop farming and a deleveraged market have led to lower borrowing costs, with APY stabilizing between 5% and 7% for borrowing and near 5% for supply, indicating balanced liquidity.

Technical analysts highlight bearish signals, including the loss of the $200 support level and a breakdown from the $221–$336 trading range. Jack observed that bears remain in control, with the 20-day and 50-day moving averages sloping downward and On-Balance Volume showing continued distribution. Price targets now hover in the $170–$140 range, supported by increased taker sell volume and a Long/Short Ratio of 0.918, suggesting further short-term declines.

Deposits have grown steadily from $35 billion in mid-2024 to over $60 billion by late 2025, while outstanding loans on Aave V3 rose from $15 billion in 2024 to surpass $25 billion in Q3 2025. Revenue patterns show consistent growth, peaking at nearly $3 million in January 2025 before a slight pullback, yet remaining above 2024 levels. HorseBeer.edge emphasized that Aave's DAO is focused on building, with real revenue driving token repurchases and institutional integration accelerating.