Since December, the DeFi sector’s largest protocol has been wrestling with an existential question, pitting Aave Labs against the DAO: who owns Aave?

What began as a discussion over swap fees rapidly escalated into an existential debate about ownership of the Aave brand, as well as the rights to monetize it.

Yesterday, Aave Labs published a “temperature check” entitled “Aave Will Win Framework” on the Aave governance forum.

Their headline is “100% of product revenue to the Aave DAO,” but the post, which runs to almost 4,000 words, doesn’t end there.

Read more: Aave brand dispute rumbles on as founder buys £22M London property

At a high level, the post proposes that all of Aave product revenue will be directed to the DAO. A foundation would also be set up to “assume responsibility for holding and stewarding” the Aave brand.

This addresses the DAO’s concerns around Labs’ potential brand capture on products including the front end, Aave’s app, card and institution-focused Horizon market.

These concessions are accompanied by a funding request for considerable sums, namely $25 million in stablecoins and 75,000 AAVE.

Further grants totaling $17.5 would be “payable upon specific product launches.”

The initial payment of stablecoins would be partially ($5 million) upfront, with the remainder streamed over the following year. AAVE tokens would unlock linearly over two years.

It clarifies “all funds will be spent on Aave-related efforts” such as “user acquisition, marketing, and ongoing development.”

Correct destination, but the route ‘needs work’

While DAO advocates generally see the proposal as directionally positive, concerns remain over the calculation of revenue. That, and the vast sum of tokens requested, both stables and AAVE.

Vocal DAO delegate Marc Zeller reacted harshly to begin with, calling Labs’ proposal “extractive” and a “gaslight.” He sees it as “raiding” DAO tokens “for zero actual enforceable commitment.”

A longer follow-up post was more positive, recognising “victory” for the DAO, while also recognizing that the move is essentially “four proposals in a trenchcoat.”

However, Zeller warns that, in calculating revenue, “deductions are at Aave Labs’ sole discretion. No independent audit. No cap. No DAO approval threshold.”

He also underlines that the $50 million worth of tokens requested represents “31.5% of the entire treasury. For a single service provider. In a single vote.”

Furthermore, the additional 75,000 AAVE tokens would further increase Labs dominance of DAO voting.

AAVE voting power

Aave Labs isn’t shy about flexing its muscles during sensitive votes.

In what was branded a “disgraceful” move, Labs triggered a surprise vote on contributor Ernesto Boado’s proposal over the Christmas holidays.

The proposal was voted down with 55% against, while the majority of DAO delegates abstained.

Additionally, Zeller suspects that today’s narrowly-rejected vote on “mandatory disclosures” was, ironically, heavily influenced by undisclosed Labs-linked wallets.

Forking over another 75,000 tokens would only increase Labs’ ability to swing future votes in its favor.

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Three suspects were arrested in France after a reported break-in targeting the home of a senior figure at Binance’s French unit, with the company confirming to Cointelegraph that one of its employees was the victim of a home invasion.

Local outlet RTL, citing anonymous police sources, reported that three hooded individuals attempted to enter an apartment in Val-de-Marne around 7:00 am CET Thursday and were carrying weapons.

RTL said the suspects first forced their way into the apartment of another resident, forcing them to direct them to the home of the head of Binance France. RTL reported the suspects searched the apartment and stole two mobile phones before fleeing.

Two hours later, the three suspects were reportedly arrested during a second home invasion attempt in Hauts-de-Seine after residents alerted authorities, RTL said. Authorities recovered the stolen phones and a vehicle that RTL said linked the suspects to the earlier break-in.

Related: 22 Bitcoin worth $1.5M vanish from Seoul police custody

Binance confirms a break into an employee’s home

Binance confirmed the incident to Cointelegraph but declined to identify the employee involved.

“We are aware of a home break-in involving one of our employees. There is an ongoing investigation with the local police,” a Binance spokesperson said. “The safety and well-being of our employees and their families is our absolute priority. We are working closely with law enforcement and further enhancing appropriate security measures.”

David Prinçay is the President of Binance France, but Cointelegraph was unable to independently verify the identity of the employee targeted in the break-in. Binance declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation and safety concerns.

Related: Binance completes $1B Bitcoin conversion for SAFU emergency fund

Crypto wrench attacks rise 75% in 2025, as France sees most attacks

Physical attacks targeting cryptocurrency investors, also known as “wrench attacks,” have risen over the past year.

Wrench attacks increased by 75% during 2025, to 72 verified cases worldwide recorded last year alone, according to cybersecurity platform CertiK.

Wrench attacks accounted for at least $40.9 million in confirmed losses in 2025, but the value could be much larger due to unreported incidents, according to CertiK.

France recorded the largest number of attacks last year, with 19 confirmed incidents, while Europe accounted for about 40% of all attacks globally in 2025.

Magazine: Meet the onchain crypto detectives fighting crime better than the cops