Grayscale has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to convert its Aave-tracking trust into an exchange-traded fund, signaling a continuing push to bring decentralized-finance exposure to mainstream investors. The filing, disclosed via a Form S-1 on February 13, 2026, envisions renaming the vehicle the Grayscale Aave Trust ETF and listing on NYSE Arca under the ticker GAVE, with Coinbase serving as custodian and prime broker. If approved, the product would hold AAVE tokens directly, rather than using a mix of securities and assets. Aave, a cornerstone of DeFi, currently dominates borrowing and lending activity across multiple chains and has drawn sustained investor interest despite broader market softness.
Key takeaways
- Grayscale aims to convert its Aave Trust into an NYSE Arca-listed ETF (GAVE) with a 2.5% management fee, and Coinbase would act as custodian and prime broker.
- The filing makes Grayscale the second U.S. firm to seek regulatory approval for an ETF tied to AAVE, joining Bitwise in a growing field of altcoin ETFs.
- Grayscale would hold AAVE tokens directly in the fund, contrasting with Bitwise’s approach that blends a substantial token stake with traditional securities to track AAVE exposure.
- AAVE remains the largest DeFi protocol by total value locked, a lens through which the ETF product could unlock liquidity for users and risk-managed investors alike.
- EU-listed products, including 21Shares’ AAVE ETP in Nasdaq Stockholm, illustrate a global appetite for regulated crypto access even as the U.S. market weighs its own framework.
Tickers mentioned: $AAVE
Sentiment: Neutral
Market context: The push for crypto ETFs persists even as risk sentiment remains cautious in the broader markets. Regulators are scrutinizing novel structures that blend regulated investment vehicles with direct token holdings, a trend that continues to shape the way institutions access DeFi assets.
Why it matters
The Grayscale filing underscores a sustained appetite among traditional market participants to provide regulated access to key crypto rails, particularly in decentralized finance. By proposing to hold AAVE tokens directly, the Grayscale Aave Trust ETF would deliver a relatively simple, token-centric exposure that mirrors the underlying protocol’s on-chain activity. This structure could appeal to investors seeking a transparent, single-asset vehicle that tracks a well-established DeFi protocol without the complexities of a blended equity-and-token approach.
From a market-theory perspective, a direct-token ETF has the potential to increase liquidity and price discovery for AAVE, a token that sits at the core of a multi-chain lending and borrowing ecosystem. AAVE (CRYPTO: AAVE) powers collateralized lending across different networks, and its token economics include staking opportunities that reward participants for securing the platform’s stability. If the fund gains approval, it would provide a familiar, U.S.-listed conduit for macro investors to gain leverage to DeFi yields and protocol growth while mitigating some idiosyncratic risk through ETF mechanics. The decision could also influence how other altcoins are packaged into ETFs, potentially accelerating similar filings across the sector.
The competition landscape is notable. Grayscale is not entering a vacuum; Bitwise currently seeks regulatory clearance for the Bitwise AAVE Strategy ETF, a plan that would allocate up to a majority of assets to AAVE tokens and place a substantial portion in securities linked to the token’s performance. The contrast between Grayscale’s direct-token approach and Bitwise’s mixed-asset strategy highlights a broader debate about how best to structure crypto exposure for institutional portfolios. As the two filings advance, regulators will weigh issues such as custody, liquidity, and investor protection in the context of a market where on-chain activity can diverge from traditional equity markets.
Beyond the United States, the appetite for regulated Aave exposure is evident. In Europe, 21Shares launched an Aave exchange-traded product on Nasdaq Stockholm in November, joining earlier European efforts by Global X in Germany. These products reflect a broader trend of creating accessible, regulated pathways for investors to participate in the DeFi economy without directly managing private keys or navigating on-chain custody. The cross-border momentum matters because it signals that crypto-native products can find distribution channels outside the U.S., even as policymakers refine the domestic framework for crypto-asset ETFs.
From a price perspective, the market has not fully priced in the regulatory drama and potential upside from a US-listed AAVE ETF. The AAVE token has hovered around the mid-$100s, with price swings often reflecting broader crypto market sentiment as well as protocol-specific developments, such as staking mechanics and governance changes. Market data show that the token’s trajectory remains sensitive to both macro risk appetite and the evolving regulatory landscape for crypto funds and custodians.
As this story unfolds, the sector’s growth narrative continues to hinge on clarity from regulators, custody capabilities, and the ability of managers to deliver transparent, liquid products that align with investor expectations. The Grayscale filing does not guarantee approval or listing, but it does reinforce that, even in a downturn, there is continued demand among asset managers to bridge the gap between DeFi innovation and traditional market access.
What to watch next
- Regulatory decision on Grayscale’s Form S-1 for the Grayscale Aave Trust ETF, including potential timing for a decision.
- NYSE Arca listing logistics and the official launch timeline for GAVE, if approved.
- Regulatory progress on Bitwise’s AAVE Strategy ETF and any subsequent outcomes for U.S.-listed altcoin ETFs.
- Developments in European AAVE-linked ETFs/ETPs, including any new products or regime changes that affect cross-border distribution.
- Market reaction in AAVE pricing and liquidity as ETF chatter intensifies and custody arrangements mature.
Sources & verification
- Grayscale’s Form S-1 registration for the Grayscale Aave Trust ETF filed with the SEC (aave-20260213.htm).
- Bitwise’s SEC filing for the Bitwise AAVE Strategy ETF.
- DefiLlama data confirming Aave’s market position as a leading DeFi protocol with significant TVL.
- 21Shares’ Aave ETP on Nasdaq Stockholm as an example of Europe’s regulated exposure to the token.
- CoinGecko price data for the AAVE token and on-chain activity references used to illustrate the current market context.
Grayscale targets Aave ETF, expanding US access to DeFi exposure
AAVE (CRYPTO: AAVE) has become a focal point in a growing wave of regulated products designed to mirror the performance of decentralized finance assets. Grayscale’s filing with the SEC outlines a structure in which the Grayscale Aave Trust ETF could hold the token directly on its balance sheet. The move—should it clear regulatory hurdles—would place a U.S.-listed, token-backed vehicle alongside existing crypto ETFs and ETPs, potentially broadening the investor base for Aave and the DeFi ecosystem more broadly.
In the current filing framework, the Grayscale vehicle would be listed on NYSE Arca under the symbol GAVE, with a management fee of 2.5% and a custody arrangement described as handled by Coinbase. The direct-token approach contrasts with other ETF strategies that blend token holdings with traditional securities or derivatives to achieve exposure. The difference may matter to fund sponsors and investors alike, particularly around liquidity profiles, redemption mechanics, and custody risk management in a landscape where on-chain activity can precede off-chain valuations.
The regulatory backdrop for a token-backed ETF remains nuanced. While the SEC has shown openness to crypto investment products, it has also emphasized investor protection, disclosure, and custody standards. Grayscale’s S-1 indicates a careful alignment with those expectations, aiming to provide transparent access while maintaining robust safeguards around token custody and exchange mechanisms. The broader market context—where Bitwise is pursuing a similar filing and European issuers have already brought Aave-linked products to market—suggests a multi-regional competition to offer the most liquid and compliant versions of DeFi exposure.
From a product design standpoint, the choice between direct token ownership and a blended allocation represents more than a stylistic preference. Direct token holdings could simplify the fund’s tracking error relative to the underlying asset but require sophisticated custody and liquidity planning. In contrast, a partially token-weighted ETF can diversify risk by incorporating securities linked to the token’s performance, potentially smoothing volatility but introducing tracking complexities. As both Grayscale and Bitwise move through the regulatory process, the evaluation of these trade-offs will inform not just AAVE ETFs, but the future shape of DeFi-focused investment products in the United States.
The evolving narrative around Aave ETFs also intersects with activity on other fronts. Europe’s active ETP pipelines and ongoing discussions about crypto product approvals in the U.S. highlight a broader market interest in regulated crypto access. The Aave ecosystem—where users lend, borrow, and earn yield across multiple blockchains—remains a compelling case study for what “regulated DeFi exposure” could look like in practice. Investors watching the Grayscale filing should consider how direct token exposure compares to more traditional ETF constructs, and what this implies for the future of institutional participation in the DeFi economy.
What to watch next
- The SEC’s decision timeline for Grayscale’s Aave Trust ETF filing and any subsequent amendments to the Form S-1.
- Timing and logistics for an NYSE Arca listing if the ETF receives regulatory approval.
- Regulatory and market updates on Bitwise’s AAVE Strategy ETF and any related product developments.
- Regulatory developments in Europe and other regions, where Aave-linked ETPs have already gained traction.
- Market reactions to the potential launch, including AAVE price dynamics and liquidity indicators on major exchanges.