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Why DeFi lending? Evidence from Aave V2

Author

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  • Cornelli, Giulio
  • Gambacorta, Leonardo
  • Garratt, Rodney
  • Reghezza, Alessio

Abstract

Decentralised finance (DeFi) lending protocols have experienced significant growth recently, yet the motivations driving investors remain largely unexplored. We use granular, transaction-level data from Aave, a leading player in the DeFi lending market, to study these motivations. Our findings reveal that search for yield predominantly drives liquidity provision in DeFi lending pools, whereas borrowing activity is mainly influenced by speculative and, to some extent, governance motives. Both retail and large investors seek high returns through price speculation, however the latter engage in DeFi borrowing relatively more than the former also to influence protocol decisions and accrue more significant governance rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Cornelli, Giulio & Gambacorta, Leonardo & Garratt, Rodney & Reghezza, Alessio, 2024. "Why DeFi lending? Evidence from Aave V2," CEPR Discussion Papers 19358, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:19358
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    2. Read, Oliver, 2025. "Decentralised finance: Growth, risks and regulation of a shadow financial system with crypto-assets," wifin Working Paper Series 18/2025, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Wiesbaden Institute of Finance and Insurance (wifin), revised 2025.
    3. Matteo Aquilina & Sean Foley & Leonardo Gambacorta & William Krekel, 2024. "Decentralised dealers? examining liquidity provision in decentralised exchanges," BIS Working Papers 1227, Bank for International Settlements.
    4. Aldasoro, Iñaki & Cornelli, Giulio & Ferrari Minesso, Massimo & Gambacorta, Leonardo & Habib, Maurizio Michael, 2025. "Stablecoins, money market funds and monetary policy," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • O39 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Other

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