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Strategic optimization: Aave proposes to leave six blockchain networks
Strategic optimization: Aave proposes to leave six blockchain networks
All the news🌿 Strategic DeFi Optimization: Aave proposes to roll up operations in six blockchain networks
Leading decentralized lending protocol Aave has initiated a significant process of strategic review of its multichain expansion. As part of the new governance proposal (Aave Improvement Proposal, AIP), the community is proposed to close the protocol deployments in six networks: Sonic, Scroll, zkSync, Metis, Soneium and Aptos.
The initiative also includes decommissioning dozens of underused assets (illiquid assets) on active networks. Although the changes potentially affect about $98.1 million of user deposits, the key aspect is that at this stage it is just a proposal requiring discussion and voting by AAVE token holders. This step marks the transition of the DeFi industry from the era of 'expansion at any cost' to a phase of mature capital efficiency and strict risk management.
⚙️ Anatomy of the proposal: from 'vanity metrics' to real liquidity
During the boom of 2021-2023, it was considered mandatory for top-tier (blue-chip) protocols to deploy in every new promising network. However, by 2026, reality showed that artificial expansion of the geography of presence has a downside:
🔹 Liquidity fragmentation: The dispersion of the total locked value (TVL) across multiple low-activity networks leads to inefficient markets. In such conditions, borrowers face high interest rates, and lenders receive meager returns due to the lack of real demand for capital.
🔹 Operational and security load: Each deployment requires constant costs for audits, risk monitoring, parameter updates, and infrastructure support. Maintaining 'dead' or low-active networks creates unjustified operational expenses (OpEx) and increases the surface for potential vulnerabilities.
🔹 Architecture specifics: The inclusion of Aptos (non-EVM network) and Soneium (Sony's blockchain) shows that even loud brands and alternative virtual machines do not guarantee organic inflow of liquidity into protocols originally designed for the Ethereum ecosystem.
🔹 Operational and security load: Each deployment requires constant costs for audits, risk monitoring, parameter updates, and infrastructure support. Maintaining 'dead' or low-active networks creates unjustified operational expenses (OpEx) and increases the surface for potential vulnerabilities.
🔹 Architecture specifics: The inclusion of Aptos (non-EVM network) and Soneium (Sony's blockchain) shows that even loud brands and alternative virtual machines do not guarantee organic inflow of liquidity into protocols originally designed for the Ethereum ecosystem.
💼 Transition management: protecting $98.1 million in deposits
Mentioning the amount of $98.1 million may cause alarm among retail users, but the mechanics of decentralized finance provide civilized ways out. In case of approval of the proposal, Aave will not forcibly liquidate positions.
The expected implementation scenario includes: ✅ 'Withdraw-only' mode: The protocol suspends the ability to take new loans and make deposits in target networks, but retains full functionality for users to return funds.
✅ Migration period: The community is given a sufficient time window (usually several weeks or months) for safe withdrawal of assets or their transfer to the main hubs of the Aave ecosystem (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon).
✅ Asset pool optimization: Simultaneously with the closure of networks, a cleanup of pools on active networks will be carried out, where tokens with zero or near-zero borrowing volume will be removed, which will simplify the interface and reduce risks for smart contracts.
✅ Migration period: The community is given a sufficient time window (usually several weeks or months) for safe withdrawal of assets or their transfer to the main hubs of the Aave ecosystem (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon).
✅ Asset pool optimization: Simultaneously with the closure of networks, a cleanup of pools on active networks will be carried out, where tokens with zero or near-zero borrowing volume will be removed, which will simplify the interface and reduce risks for smart contracts.
🌍 Macro context: DeFi market consolidation
Aave's decision is an indicator of a broader trend towards consolidation in the decentralized finance sector. Investors and developers are no longer impressed by the number of integrations. The key metrics of success are now:
- Depth of liquidity (ability to absorb large orders without slippage).
- Real yield for liquidity providers (Real Yield).
- Impeccable security track record.
Rolling up operations in networks like Scroll or zkSync (despite their technological significance as ZK-rollup solutions) indicates that organic growth of the user base in these networks has not yet reached the critical mass necessary to support a viable lending market.
⚠️ Risks and challenges of the governance process
Despite the economic logic, the proposal faces certain difficulties: 🔸 Resistance of local communities: The ecosystems of the closing networks may actively lobby for the preservation of Aave's presence, offering their own grants or subsidies to stimulate liquidity, which may affect the outcome of the vote.
🔸 Panic risks: Incorrect communication can lead to premature mass withdrawal of funds (bank run) in the affected networks, which temporarily destabilizes local markets and increases slippage for exiting users.
🔸 Coordination complexity: Simultaneous management of migration in six different networks with different bridges and infrastructure requires impeccable work of the development team and support service.
🔸 Panic risks: Incorrect communication can lead to premature mass withdrawal of funds (bank run) in the affected networks, which temporarily destabilizes local markets and increases slippage for exiting users.
🔸 Coordination complexity: Simultaneous management of migration in six different networks with different bridges and infrastructure requires impeccable work of the development team and support service.