SEC ends probe into Aave after four years, CEO says

cointelegraphPublished on 2025-12-16Last updated on 2025-12-16

Abstract

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ended its four-year investigation into decentralized finance platform Aave without recommending enforcement action, according to CEO Stani Kulechov. The decision was communicated via a letter dated August 12, which Kulechov shared publicly. The closure of the probe aligns with a broader trend of the SEC dropping long-running investigations into crypto firms, including Uniswap Labs, Gemini, and Ripple, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Following the news, Aave’s native token (AAVE) surged more than 3% in 24 hours. The SEC declined to comment on the investigation.

Stani Kulechov, founder and CEO of Aave, said the US Securities and Exchange Commission ended a four-year investigation into the decentralized finance platform.

In a Tuesday X post, Kulechov provided an Aug. 12 letter from the SEC saying that the agency did “not intend to recommend an enforcement action” against Aave. The text of the letter suggested that the protocol had faced a potential enforcement action by the SEC in a probe initiated about four years ago.

“We’re glad to put this behind us as we enter a new era where developers can truly build the future of finance,” said Kulechov.

Publicly available records on the SEC’s website do not show a Wells notice issued to Aave. The protocol had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

In a statement to Cointelegraph, an SEC spokesperson said the commission “does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation.”

According to data from Nansen, the price of the Aave token (AAVE) surged more than 3% in the previous 24 hours, reaching $187.85.

Related: SEC closed investigation into Gemini with no action, says Winklevoss

The end of the investigation into Aave would be the latest SEC action softening on regulation and enforcement moves against crypto companies since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January.

This year, the regulator dropped many years-long investigations and cases, including those against Uniswap Labs, Gemini and Ripple.

Magazine: When privacy and AML laws conflict: Crypto projects’ impossible choice

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.

Can Iran 'Control' the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran has announced a comprehensive plan to assert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping chokepoint. The proposed measures include requiring all vessels to obtain Iranian permission for passage, imposing fees for security, environmental protection, and navigation management—preferably paid in Iranian rials—and absolutely banning Israeli ships. Vessels from countries deemed hostile by Iran’s top security bodies may also be barred. Analysts suggest Iran’s motives are multifaceted: increasing pressure on the U.S. and Israel by leveraging control over oil transit to influence global prices and inflation; creating a new revenue stream, potentially exceeding $7.7 billion annually, to counter Western sanctions and support postwar reconstruction; and using transit permissions as bargaining chips in future negotiations, notably with the U.S. However, the plan faces significant practical and diplomatic challenges. Enforcing comprehensive interception and fee collection in the busy waterway, patrolled by international military forces, would be difficult. The U.S. has already countering with a blockade of Iranian ports and threats to intercept any ship paying fees, potentially strangling Iran’s oil exports and fee revenue. Broad international opposition, led by European and Gulf states, and legal controversies further complicate implementation. The proposal may ultimately serve more as a negotiating tactic than a feasible policy, with its execution remaining highly uncertain.

marsbit19m ago

Can Iran 'Control' the Strait of Hormuz?

marsbit19m ago

Vertically Integrated Capital Aggregators: How Does Web3 Build an Impregnable Moat?

"Vertical Integration Capital Aggregators: How Web3 Builds Unbreachable Moats" explores how leading Web3 protocols create competitive advantages by vertically integrating multiple ecosystem components. Unlike Web2 aggregators that focus on user demand or supplier commoditization, successful Web3 entities like Hyperliquid aggregate capital, liquidity, users, and distribution into a unified financial ecosystem. This integration allows for efficient capital deployment—Hyperliquid generates $0.30 in fees per $1 of TVL annually, compared to Aave's $0.05—while creating a defensible moat that is difficult to replicate across six simultaneous fronts. However, this model comes with risks: DeFi loses $0.50 to hacks for every $1 earned, pushing protocols toward partial centralization and closed systems for security and scalability. The token serves as a shared incentive layer, aligning stakeholders and driving value through mechanisms like buybacks. The article concludes that vertical integration, not capital itself, is the true moat, and that the industry is evolving toward pragmatic, partially centralized models to ensure economic growth and sustainability.

marsbit33m ago

Vertically Integrated Capital Aggregators: How Does Web3 Build an Impregnable Moat?

marsbit33m ago

Falsely Accused by AI and Jailed for 160 Days: American Woman Steps into the Execution Zone

Summary: Angela Lipps, a woman from Tennessee, was wrongfully imprisoned for 160 days after a facial recognition AI incorrectly identified her as a suspect in a bank fraud case in North Dakota. Despite her insistence that she had never been to the state, she was arrested in July 2025 and held without bail. She spent 108 days in a local jail before being transferred to North Dakota in October, where she was eventually cleared after her lawyer provided bank records proving she was buying pizza in Tennessee at the time of the crime. Her ordeal highlights a growing issue with AI-driven law enforcement errors. Similar cases include Robert Williams, detained for 30 hours in 2020, and Chris Gatlin, jailed for 17 months based on flawed AI matches. Systems like Clearview AI, used by over 3,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies, often rely on low-quality images and can produce inaccurate results. Human oversight failures exacerbate the problem, as officers sometimes skip verification steps, leading to wrongful arrests. While AI has improved policing efficiency, its errors have serious consequences, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and human accountability in its use.

marsbit1h ago

Falsely Accused by AI and Jailed for 160 Days: American Woman Steps into the Execution Zone

marsbit1h ago

Bitcoin Derivatives Buying Pressure Continues To Rise — Is $80K Inevitable?

Bitcoin's price has been experiencing significant bullish momentum, with recent gains primarily driven by strong demand in the perpetual futures market rather than spot trading. On-chain analysis reveals sustained buying pressure in Bitcoin derivatives, as indicated by the Net Taker Volume metric, which has remained positive at around $145 million since March 7. This metric, which measures the difference between long and short orders, suggests continued dominance of buyers and reflects bullish sentiment among traders. Historically, such a shift from selling to buying pressure has consistently led to upward price movements. Analysts expecting the trend to continue, potentially pushing Bitcoin toward the $80,000 mark, though that level remains a key resistance zone. Currently, BTC is around $77,508 with little change over the past day.

bitcoinist1h ago

Bitcoin Derivatives Buying Pressure Continues To Rise — Is $80K Inevitable?

bitcoinist1h ago

Bitcoin Reclaims Key MVRV Support At $73.7K — What Comes Next?

Bitcoin has reclaimed the critical MVRV support level at $73,700, a key indicator for market valuation. Holding above this level suggests potential upward momentum toward the mean MVRV target of $96,000. However, a breakdown below $73,700 could lead to a decline toward the Realized Price support near $55,000. The MVRV bands outline further resistance at $118,000 and extreme overvaluation at $140,000, while deeper support lies around $51,500. Currently trading near $78,000, Bitcoin remains 38% below its all-time high of $126,198 from October 2025.

bitcoinist7h ago

Bitcoin Reclaims Key MVRV Support At $73.7K — What Comes Next?

bitcoinist7h ago

Trading

Spot

Futures

Hot Articles

How to Buy AAVE

Welcome to HTX.com! We've made purchasing Aave Protocol (AAVE) simple and convenient. Follow our step-by-step guide to embark on your crypto journey.Step 1: Create Your HTX AccountUse your email or phone number to sign up for a free account on HTX. Experience a hassle-free registration journey and unlock all features.Get My AccountStep 2: Go to Buy Crypto and Choose Your Payment MethodCredit/Debit Card: Use your Visa or Mastercard to buy Aave Protocol (AAVE) instantly.Balance: Use funds from your HTX account balance to trade seamlessly.Third Parties: We've added popular payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay to enhance convenience.P2P: Trade directly with other users on HTX.Over-the-Counter (OTC): We offer tailor-made services and competitive exchange rates for traders.Step 3: Store Your Aave Protocol (AAVE)After purchasing your Aave Protocol (AAVE), store it in your HTX account. Alternatively, you can send it elsewhere via blockchain transfer or use it to trade other cryptocurrencies.Step 4: Trade Aave Protocol (AAVE)Easily trade Aave Protocol (AAVE) on HTX's spot market. Simply access your account, select your trading pair, execute your trades, and monitor in real-time. We offer a user-friendly experience for both beginners and seasoned traders.

4.8k Total ViewsPublished 2024.03.29Updated 2025.05.06

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of AAVE (AAVE) are presented below.