Aave DAO Governance Clash Over Failed Brand-Control Vote and $15M Token Allegation

On 27 December 2025, tensions resurfaced in the Aave ecosystem after Stani Kulechov rejected accusations that he bought about $15 million in AAVE to sway a controversial governance proposal. The failed vote, which sought to move control of Aave's brand and intellectual property to the DAO, exposed disagreements over transparency, economic alignment, and decision-making between Aave Labs and the decentralized community. Questions about procedure intensified after the listed proposal author said it had been submitted without his consent, deepening concerns over accountability.