What is DeFi? An introduction to decentralized finance
An intro to decentralized finance (DeFi), its primary concepts, and how its real-world applications are transforming financial infrastructure.
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The live AAVE price is currently {{current_price}}, {{up_down_24h}} {{price_change_percentage_24h_in_currency}} in the last 24-hours. Aave's 24-hour trading volume is {{total_volume}}. Aave is currently {{market_cap_rank}} by market capitalization, which is calculated by multiplying the current price ({{current_price}}) with the circulating supply ({{circulating_supply}}). The market capitalization for Aave is {{market_cap}}. AAVE has a circulating supply of {{circulating_supply}} and a max supply of {{max_supply}}. To buy AAVE at the current rate, visit moonpay/buy/aave.
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AAVE is a decentralized lending and borrowing platform built on the Ethereum blockchain.
The Aave protocol operates through a smart contract system, eliminating the need for intermediaries and enabling peer-to-peer transactions. Users that choose to deposit their cryptocurrency into lending pools can earn interest (as decided by the Aave algorithm) on their deposits. These assets can then be borrowed by other users who require liquidity.
One of the notable features of AAVE is its use of "flash loans." Flash loans allow users to borrow assets without collateral as long as the borrowed amount is returned within the same transaction. This feature enables users to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities or execute complex trading strategies in a single transaction.
Each transaction involves an interaction with the Ethereum blockchain, where a set of instructions is executed. These instructions can include borrowing funds, executing trades, and repaying a loan within the singular transaction.
The native token of Aave is also called AAVE, and it serves multiple purposes within the Aave ecosystem. AAVE is primarily used as a governance token, allowing AAVE holders to propose and vote on changes to the protocol. This gives token holders a say in the development and future direction of the Aave platform.
Additionally, AAVE token holders are entitled to a portion of fees collected by the protocol, which are generated from activities such as borrowing, lending, and liquidity pools. These fees are distributed to AAVE holders in proportion to their ownership percentage.
Further, AAVE tokens can be used as collateral for borrowing on the platform. By using AAVE as collateral, borrowers can access a higher borrowing limit or obtain more favorable terms.
AAVE was originally launched under the name ETHLend in November 2017. The project raised $16.2 million by selling one billion LEND tokens at a rate equivalent to $0.0162 a piece.
At the time, the cryptocurrency market was booming, and LEND's price quickly rose to a high of $0.80 in December 2017. However, the market soon crashed, and the price fell back down to $0.02 by January 2018.
In September 2018, the ETHLend project was rebranded to AAVE.
AAVE's price remained relatively low for the next two years. However, the cryptocurrency market began to recover in 2020, and AAVE's price started to rise again.
In May 2020, AAVE reached its highest price at $366. This was due in part to the growing popularity of decentralized finance (DeFi), and AAVE's critical role in it.
The DeFi boom continued in 2021, and the price of AAVE soared to new heights. In May 2021, AAVE reached a new all-time high of $666.86.
However, the DeFi market began to cool off in the second half of 2021, and AAVE declined in value.
Aave continued to decrease in value in 2022, starting the year around $266 and finishing around $52. Throughout 2023, AAVE’s price remained more consistent, hovering between a range between $52 and $120.
Here's a high-level overview of how AAVE works:
Lending pools: AAVE operates through lending pools, which are smart contracts that hold users' deposited assets. These can include various cryptocurrencies such as ETH, stablecoins like USDT or DAI, and other other assets. Each pool focuses on a specific digital asset or token.
Depositing assets: Users can deposit their digital assets into these lending pools. By doing so, they become lenders and contribute to the liquidity available for borrowers. Lenders earn interest on their deposited crypto assets. Interest rates can vary based on supply and demand dynamics within each pool.
Borrowing assets: Users who require liquidity can borrow assets from the lending pools. Borrowers can specify the amount they want to borrow and the collateral they are willing to provide. AAVE supports over-collateralized loans, where borrowers are required to deposit more value in collateral than the borrowed amount. This collateral helps provide security to the lending pool.
Variable and stable interest rates: AAVE offers both variable and stable interest rates. Variable rates fluctuate based on supply and demand within each pool. Stable rates are fixed rates that borrowers can choose to mitigate the risk of interest rate fluctuations. The interest rates are determined algorithmically based on the utilization and available liquidity in the lending pool.
Flash loans: AAVE introduced the concept of flash loans, which allow users to borrow digital assets without collateral, so long as the borrowed amount is returned within the same transaction. Flash loans enable users to perform complex financial operations or arbitrage opportunities within a single transaction, taking advantage of short-term liquidity.
Governance and AAVE Token: The AAVE protocol has a native governance token called AAVE. Token holders can participate in the governance process by proposing and voting on changes to the protocol. Additionally, AAVE token holders are entitled to a portion of the fees generated by the protocol, distributed to them as a reward.
Note that AAVE operates in a decentralized manner, meaning there is no central authority controlling the lending and borrowing processes. The protocol's functionality is facilitated by smart contracts, which execute predefined rules and automate transactions. This decentralization enhances transparency, security, and eliminates the need for intermediaries.
Users interact with AAVE through a user interface or other compatible applications that integrate with the protocol. They can connect their wallets, deposit assets, borrow funds, and manage their positions within the lending pools.
Aave was founded by Stani Kulechov, a serial entrepreneur, software developer, and a leading figure in the DeFi and blockchain space.
In 2017, Kulechov launched ETHLend, a decentralized lending platform that was later rebranded as Aave. Aave is one of the most popular DeFi protocols in the world, with over $7 billion in total value locked (TVL).
Kulechov is also the founder of Lens Protocol, a decentralized social networking platform. Lens Protocol is built on top of Aave and allows users to create and own their own social media profiles.
Earning interest on cryptocurrency: Users who lend cryptocurrency on Aave can earn interest on their loans. The interest rate is set by the market and can vary depending on the cryptocurrency and the amount of crypto being lent.
Borrowing cryptocurrency: Users who need to borrow cryptocurrency can do so on Aave. The interest rate is also set by the market and can vary depending on the cryptocurrency and the amount of cryptocurrency being borrowed.
Leveraging cryptocurrency: Users can utilize AAVE tokens to leverage their cryptocurrency positions. This means that they can borrow cryptocurrency against their existing crypto holdings. This can be a risky strategy, but it can also be a way to potentially increase profits.
Liquidity: The AAVE platform provides liquidity to the cryptocurrency ecosystem. AAVE enables instant loans for users, which can be helpful for those who need to access cash quickly.
Trading: AAVE can be used to trade cryptocurrency. Users can deposit digital assets into Aave and then use it to trade other cryptocurrencies. This can be a convenient way to trade cryptocurrency without having to go through a centralized exchange.
Governance: AAVE serves as a governance token, allowing holders to vote on Aave improvement proposals, with votes weighted based on the number of tokens held.
Unlike traditional lending and borrowing systems that rely on intermediaries and centralized authorities, the AAVE platform operates on the Ethereum blockchain as a fully decentralized protocol.
By utilizing smart contracts and liquidity pools, Aave removes the need for trusted third parties, putting control back in the hands of users while enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency.
AAVE is a non-mineable cryptocurrency. This means you cannot use your computing power to create new AAVE tokens via crypto mining. However, you can stake AAVE to earn rewards.
Staking is the process of locking up your AAVE tokens in order to secure the Aave network. In return for staking your AAVE, you will earn rewards in the form of more AAVE tokens.
The amount of rewards you earn will depend on the amount of AAVE you stake and the length of time you stake it. The longer you stake your AAVE, the more rewards you will earn.
Here are the steps to stake AAVE:
Buy AAVE via MoonPay
Create a MetaMask wallet and connect it to the Aave protocol
Deposit your AAVE tokens into the staking pool
Choose the amount of time you want to stake your AAVE
Click "Stake" and confirm the transaction
Earn staking rewards
You will start earning rewards immediately after you stake your AAVE. You can unstake your AAVE at any time, but you will need to wait a 21-day unbonding period before you can withdraw your tokens.
The price of {{token_name}} is determined by factors such as supply and demand, market sentiment, regulatory developments, and the adoption of blockchain technology. Price fluctuations can also occur in response to large transfers of the asset in a short time period.
The all-time high of AAVE is $666.86, which was reached on May 18, 2021.
The all-time low of AAVE is $26.02, which was recorded in November 2020.
AAVE is a deflationary cryptocurrency, i.e., there is a fixed maximum supply. The maximum supply of AAVE is 16 million. Over {{circulating_supply}} of these Aave tokens are already in circulation.
You can buy Aave directly via MoonPay or through one of our many partner wallets such as Trust Wallet and Exodus.---MoonPay’s simple widget makes it easy to buy AAVE with a credit or debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more payment methods.