AAVE Rises 0.06% as ETHLend Plans 2026 Comeback and Native Bitcoin Support

Stani Kulechov, the creator of Aave, has officially announced that ETHLend—the precursor to

—will be making a comeback in 2026. This news has sparked renewed curiosity about the protocol’s beginnings and its possible future within the expanding Aave network. Kulechov revealed that the revamped ETHLend will accept native as collateral, which is a significant shift from the synthetic or wrapped tokens typically used in decentralized finance.

Originally launched in 2017, ETHLend operated as a peer-to-peer lending platform, directly connecting lenders and borrowers through smart contracts. Although this approach was groundbreaking at the time, it encountered issues with scalability and liquidity. These challenges led the team to rebrand as Aave and transition to a liquidity pool model in 2018. This change was pivotal, helping Aave become a leading force in DeFi, with its AAVE token now playing a key role in governance and ecosystem expansion.

The upcoming relaunch in 2026 aims to bring back the peer-to-peer model, but with updated features. Kulechov indicated that ETHLend’s new version will incorporate a more advanced P2P engine, which could work alongside Aave’s current systems. By using actual Bitcoin instead of wrapped alternatives, the protocol takes a notable step toward integrating native cryptocurrencies into DeFi. This move fits with Aave’s broader mission to expand Bitcoin’s on-chain applications, potentially appealing to both individual and institutional users.

Although Kulechov has yet to share specific technical information about ETHLend 2.0, the community is already discussing possible upgrades, such as enhanced MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) protection, quicker transaction processing, and greater scalability. These features could fill gaps left by Aave’s liquidity pools, especially for those who prefer direct counterparties. The relaunch seems to be part of a larger plan to diversify Aave’s offerings and reconnect with its earliest supporters.

This announcement has triggered a sense of nostalgia among veteran users, with old screenshots of the ETHLend interface from 2018 circulating on social media and highlighting the project’s legacy in DeFi. There is also speculation about a possible return of the LEND token, though nothing official has been confirmed.

With pilot projects involving native Bitcoin already in progress, Aave appears ready to further innovate in decentralized lending. The 2026 relaunch is set to usher in a new chapter for the protocol, blending its original vision with the evolving landscape of DeFi.