AAVE Defies DeFi Downturn with $100M Annual Revenue and Whale Accumulation Fueling Recovery

Despite a massive $60 billion wipeout in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, Aave's native token AAVE continues to demonstrate resilience by generating over $100 million in annual revenue, with weekly revenues averaging around $3 million. According to DeFiLlama, the protocol saw approximately $10 billion in outflows, contributing to a 40% annual price drop for AAVE, but total fees have reached $740 million, highlighting sustained activity.

In a sign of long-term conviction, a whale accumulated 60,000 AAVE tokens worth $10.68 million via an over-the-counter purchase through Galaxy Digital on November 26, bringing their total holdings to 338,000 AAVE valued at nearly $60 million since mid-October. Despite an unrealized loss of $13.8 million, this accumulation reduces sell-side pressure and bolsters market confidence.

Technically, AAVE's price has rebounded to $182.56, up 3.7% in 24 hours, and is testing key resistance levels near $188 to $190. The token has reclaimed short-term exponential moving averages, with the RSI at 46 indicating moderated momentum. A break above $190 is critical for a sustained upward trajectory, while a drop below $180 could see a return to mid-$170 support zones.

Fundamentally, Aave's total value locked remains steady at $32 billion, double from the previous year, and decentralized exchange volumes have risen, underscoring the protocol's position in DeFi's lending stack. This combination of revenue stability, whale activity, and technical recovery positions AAVE for potential gains if market sentiment improves.