# Aave Labs proposes an independent foundation for protocol IP

> The proposed governance structure introduces a legal vehicle and defined director appointment, consent, reporting, and winding-up arrangements.

- URL: https://riadefi.com/on-chain/2026-10-02-aave-foundation-phase-1/
- Type: Governance
- Stage: Proposed
- Evidence: confirmed
- Materiality: watch
- Event date: 2026-10-02
- Version: 1, published 2026-10-05 (first published 2026-10-05)
- Follow-up: 2026-10-12
- Advisor-relevant: no
- Affects: Aave v3 (protocol)

## What happened

Aave Labs proposed Phase 1 formation of a memberless Cayman foundation with independent oversight to support future ownership and protection of Aave intellectual property.

## What changed

The proposed governance structure introduces a legal vehicle and defined director appointment, consent, reporting, and winding-up arrangements.

## What did not change

The record does not establish incorporation, approved funding, or completed IP transfers. Listings, protocol parameters, and provider selection remain DAO decisions under the proposal.

## Confirmed

- Phase 1 seeks incorporation costs and initial director and supervisor appointments.
- The proposed director and supervisor are independent; Aave Labs and DAO service providers have no appointment rights or seats.
- Subsequent director appointment and removal would require an AIP.
- Later phases are described as separate governance decisions.

## Still open

- Whether Snapshot and on-chain authorization will pass.
- Final legal documents, costs, and initial appointees.
- Timing and scope of later trademark, domain, and codebase transfers.

## What it means for an advisor

- Add the proposed entity and legal ownership model to Aave's governance diligence watchlist.
- Reassess the legal authority map after authorization and executed IP assignments.

## Sources

1. [[ARFC] The Aave Foundation, Phase 1](https://governance.aave.com/t/arfc-the-aave-foundation-phase-1/25756) · Aave Labs / Aave governance · 2026-10-02


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Published by Ketju Research on RIADeFi (https://riadefi.com). Educational research for financial professionals; not investment, legal, tax, or compliance advice.