BGD Labs to end Aave DAO contributions in 2026

BGD Labs will end its technical contributions to Aave DAO on April 1, 2026, after nearly four years, citing governance changes. The team will ensure a smooth transition and provide documentation.

BGD Labs, a key technical contributor to the Aave protocol, will conclude its collaboration with the Aave DAO on April 1, 2026, marking nearly four years of partnership. This decision comes amid governance and collaboration challenges, especially as Aave Labs takes a more central role in developing Aave v4 and other initiatives. BGD Labs clarified that its departure is not due to technical issues, highlighting the stability and future-proof nature of Aave v3 and the protocol’s infrastructure. Throughout its tenure, BGD Labs played a significant role in major upgrades, governance tooling, risk parameters, and security systems, including the development of Aave v3, network deployments, and automation tools. The team will continue to fulfill its responsibilities until the contract ends, provide comprehensive documentation for successors, and propose a $200,000 optional security retainer for the transition period. The DAO will retain all intellectual property and final decision-making authority over the protocol.