Your step-by-step resource to using Aave — the leading decentralized lending protocol. Earn yield, borrow assets, and take control of your crypto portfolio.
Aave is a decentralized, non-custodial liquidity protocol where users can lend and borrow crypto assets without intermediaries. Built on Ethereum (and other chains), it uses smart contracts to automate interest rates, collateral management, and liquidations.
Aave pioneered flash loans — uncollateralized loans that must be repaid within the same transaction — and introduced aTokens that accrue interest in real time.
Follow these simple steps to start lending or borrowing on Aave. All you need is a Web3 wallet like MetaMask.
Visit the Aave app and connect your wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, etc.) to the Ethereum network.
Choose an asset like USDC, ETH, or DAI. Deposit it into the Aave pool to start earning interest immediately.
Use your deposited assets as collateral to borrow other tokens. Maintain a healthy health factor to avoid liquidation.
Monitor your positions, repay loans, or withdraw your deposits plus earned interest at any time.
Aave offers a unique set of features that make it one of the most powerful DeFi protocols in the ecosystem.
Borrow any amount without collateral, as long as you repay within the same block. Perfect for arbitrage and smart contract strategies.
Receive interest-bearing aTokens when you deposit. Their value grows over time, reflecting your accrued yield.
Aave’s Safety Module (StkAAVE) provides additional protection against shortfalls, backed by AAVE stakers.
Choose between variable interest rates (market-driven) or stable rates (predictable) when borrowing.
Aave is deployed on Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Optimism, and more — giving you flexibility.
For newer or more volatile assets, isolated pools limit risk by preventing them from affecting the main pool.
Understand the upside and the downsides before you dive into Aave.
Quick answers to the most common queries about Aave.