James Richardson
Aave, one of the leading Ethereum-based lending protocols, is planning to launch sGHO, a savings-focused product designed around its GHO stablecoin and a newly proposed Aave Savings Rate.
This initiative aligns with the broader trend of onchain stablecoins evolving beyond traditional fiat-pegged tokens by integrating reward mechanisms for holders. Similar projects include MakerDAO’s savings USDS and Noble’s USDN, both of which offer yield-generating capabilities.
According to a governance proposal labeled as a “temp check,” GHO has experienced significant growth in 2025, positioning it as the 20th largest stablecoin. However, scaling from $200 million to over $300 million introduces new challenges, prompting Aave to explore alternative strategies to sustain its momentum.
Launched in 2023 under Aave DAO governance, GHO was created to offer competitive borrowing rates, generate DAO revenue through interest payments, and address the demand for a decentralized onchain stablecoin within DeFi.
How sGHO Works
The Aave Chan Initiative, the entity behind the proposal, describes sGHO as a low-risk savings option that functions similarly to staking tokens used in protocol security.
- Users can deposit GHO into sGHO to earn yield via the Aave Savings Rate, receiving an ERC-20 receipt token that accrues value over time.
- This structure is compatible with other protocols, making it easily integrable within the broader DeFi ecosystem.
- Unlike some DeFi yield strategies, sGHO deposits will remain locked in the contract, avoiding rehypothecation to minimize risk.
The Aave Savings Rate will be influenced by the total amount of sGHO minted, meaning a larger user base could result in lower yields or require additional funding. The interest rate will be tied to the USDC Native Yield generated on Aave V3’s Ethereum mainnet.
No Fees and Strategic Incentives to Boost Adoption
A key advantage of sGHO is the absence of deposit or withdrawal fees, making it more attractive than competing yield-generating stablecoins.
The governance proposal highlights that adding fees would introduce unnecessary friction, reducing the product’s appeal in comparison to alternatives like Sky Ecosystem’s sUSDS.
sGHO is also part of Aave’s broader plan to expand GHO adoption, including proposals to integrate the stablecoin as a gas token across multiple blockchains. This initiative recently passed a governance vote with 100% approval.
Further expansion efforts have focused on introducing GHO into platforms like Fluid, Arbitrum, and other blockchain ecosystems.
Strengthening Aave’s Liquidity and Stability
The timing of this proposal coincides with Aave DAO’s recent treasury rebalancing, aimed at reducing risk and improving liquidity on Aave V3.
As part of this initiative, the DAO approved a redeployment of assets—including USDC, DAI, BAL, and CRV—from Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism to Ethereum’s base layer. This move is expected to enhance native USDC adoption within Aave.
With sGHO positioned as a premium savings solution, Aave aims to further solidify its standing in the decentralized finance space while providing stable, yield-generating opportunities for GHO holders.
