AAVE sinks after VC sell-off – Why founders are stepping in now?

Aave moved through a redistribution phase as capital rotated from VCs to longer-term holders.

In March, Blockchain Capital sold 216,292 AAVE worth $24.8 million, while ParaFi also reduced exposure. That added steady sell pressure.

This pushed AAVE down 64% to $94, showing liquidity exits, not fundamentals, drove the drawdown. Meanwhile, the protocol generated $142 million in annualized revenue, supporting underlying demand.

This shift showed VCs taking profits, while founders absorbed supply, signaling stronger long-term positioning.

Why is Aave increasing deposit limits?

Aave [AAVE] V4 entered a demand-driven expansion phase as user activity absorbed available liquidity.

After the March 2026 launch, deposits crossed $10 million, signaling early traction. As inflows accelerated, several assets hit supply caps, confirming active borrowing demand.

However, this forced the protocol to raise deposit limits, allowing more capital without restricting usage.

The hub-and-spoke design improved liquidity efficiency but increased sensitivity to demand spikes. That made cap increases necessary to sustain activity.

As liquidity expanded, usage quality became critical. Strong borrowing could support stability, while weak demand may dilute yields.

Is real demand supporting AAVE price?

Aave’s on-chain activity shifted toward productive demand rather than passive holding.

Total Value Locked [TVL] stood at $25.38 billion, while $17.71 billion was actively borrowed, keeping utilization near 70%. This showed users were actively using liquidity, not just depositing capital.

On top of that, incentives remained limited at $240,000 annually against $73 million in earnings. That pushed capital toward fundamentals.

Meanwhile, 30-day fees reached $44.9 million, with $6.01 million captured, linking usage directly to revenue.

Even so, price impact remained conditional. If value capture improves, the altcoin may reprice higher. If not, strong usage may not lift the price.

Final Summary

• Aave [AAVE] shifts to founder-led accumulation, as VC selling drives a 64% drop while $142 million in revenue supports demand.
• The decentralized protocol held strong demand with $25.38 billion TVL and 70% utilization, yet its price depends on sustained value capture.