Diving into the world of decentralized finance, I’m thrilled to sit down with Kofi Ndaikate, a renowned expert in fintech with deep insights into blockchain, cryptocurrency, and regulatory landscapes. Today, we’re exploring Aave Labs’ latest venture—a new iOS savings app designed to bring DeFi to the masses with competitive yields and a user-friendly approach. Our conversation touches on the app’s unique features, its position in the competitive DeFi yield market, strategies for mainstream adoption, and the broader vision behind Aave’s innovations.
What inspired Aave Labs to create this iOS savings app specifically for retail users?
The core inspiration behind this app was to democratize access to DeFi. For too long, decentralized finance has been seen as a niche space for tech-savvy individuals or crypto enthusiasts. We wanted to break down those barriers and create a product that feels intuitive for everyday users—think of someone who’s never touched a crypto wallet before. The goal was to offer a savings tool that combines the high yields of DeFi with the simplicity of a traditional banking app, making financial empowerment accessible to a broader audience.
How does this app stand out in terms of user experience, especially for those new to DeFi?
We’ve put a lot of effort into simplifying the interface. Unlike many DeFi platforms that can overwhelm newcomers with jargon and complex processes, this app strips things down to the essentials. Depositing stablecoins like USDC or USDT is as easy as transferring money in a banking app. Plus, there’s no minimum deposit, so users can start with literally a penny if they want. The design focuses on clarity—showing yields, compounding interest, and account balances in real time—so users feel confident and in control without needing a deep understanding of blockchain tech.
Why did Aave opt for an iOS-only launch, and what’s the timeline for expanding to other platforms?
Starting with iOS allowed us to focus on a specific user base and refine the experience before scaling to other platforms. iOS users often expect a polished, seamless experience, which aligns with our goal of delivering a premium product out of the gate. It also helped us manage initial demand and gather feedback in a controlled way. As for Android and web versions, they’re definitely in the works and listed as ‘coming soon.’ We’re aiming to roll them out in the near future, likely within the next few quarters, depending on user feedback and development timelines.
Can you explain the waitlist approach and how the referral system helps users gain access?
The waitlist is a way to manage the rollout and ensure we can scale infrastructure to meet demand without compromising on performance or security. It also builds a sense of community and anticipation around the launch. The referral system is a fun incentive—users can invite friends to join, and each referral bumps them up the list. It’s a win-win: users get faster access, and we grow our community organically through trusted recommendations. It’s all about creating a smooth onboarding process while fostering engagement from day one.
How did Aave determine the 6% base yield with a 0.5% boost for automatic monthly deposits?
We arrived at these rates after analyzing the DeFi lending market and balancing competitiveness with sustainability. A 6% base yield offers a solid return that’s attractive compared to traditional savings accounts, which often hover around 4-5% for high-yield options. The 0.5% boost for recurring deposits is a nudge to encourage consistent saving habits, rewarding users who commit to long-term engagement. These rates are backed by the underlying mechanics of the Aave protocol, ensuring they’re viable even in fluctuating market conditions.
What’s the advantage of compounding interest every second compared to daily or monthly methods?
Compounding every second maximizes returns in a way that daily or monthly compounding can’t match. It means that every moment your money is in the app, it’s earning interest on the interest already accrued. Over time, this adds up significantly, especially for users who keep funds deposited for months or years. It’s a small but powerful feature that showcases the efficiency of DeFi—something traditional finance can’t replicate at this granularity—and it gives our users an edge in growing their savings.
Why was it crucial to eliminate minimum deposit requirements for stablecoin contributions?
Removing minimum deposits was a deliberate choice to make the app truly inclusive. In traditional finance, minimum balances often lock out people who can only save small amounts. By supporting deposits as low as $0.01 in stablecoins like USDC and USDT, we’re saying that everyone deserves access to high-yield savings, regardless of their starting point. It lowers the psychological and financial barrier to entry, inviting a much wider range of users to explore DeFi without feeling they need a big upfront investment.
With no fees for subscriptions, deposits, or withdrawals, how does Aave plan to keep this model sustainable?
Sustainability comes from the efficiency of the underlying DeFi protocol and the scale of Aave’s operations. We generate revenue through the lending markets where these deposits are allocated—borrowers pay interest, and a portion of that supports the yields and operations. By cutting out fees, we’re prioritizing user trust and adoption over short-term profits. The long-term vision is to grow our user base massively, which will naturally support the model as more capital flows through the platform. It’s a user-first approach with a backend designed for scale.
How does Aave position its 6-6.5% yields against competitors offering higher rates, like some protocols with returns over 10%?
While higher yields might catch the eye, they often come with higher risks or more complex strategies that aren’t suitable for retail users. Our 6-6.5% range strikes a balance between attractive returns and stability, backed by Aave’s proven protocol, which manages billions in deposits. We’re focusing on reliability and ease of use rather than chasing the highest possible APY. For many users, especially those new to DeFi, peace of mind and a straightforward experience are worth more than a few extra percentage points tied to volatile or experimental setups.
How does Aave plan to attract mainstream consumers when traditional banks offer competitive high-yield savings accounts at 4-5%?
Traditional banks might offer 4-5%, but they often come with strings attached—minimum balances, fees, or limited access to funds. Our app provides a higher base yield of 6%, plus the boost to 6.5% for recurring deposits, with no such restrictions. Beyond the numbers, we’re tapping into the growing curiosity around DeFi and financial independence. We’re marketing this as a modern alternative—think of it as banking 2.0, where you control your money directly on a blockchain with transparency that banks can’t match. Education and simplicity are key to winning over mainstream users.
What specific expertise or technology did Stable Finance bring to the table after Aave Labs’ acquisition in October 2025?
The acquisition of Stable Finance was a strategic move to accelerate our consumer product development. They brought specialized knowledge in stablecoin infrastructure and retail-focused fintech solutions, which complemented our DeFi expertise. Their team had experience in crafting user-friendly interfaces for financial products, and their tech stack helped us streamline the integration of stablecoin deposits into a seamless savings app. It was about combining their consumer insights with our DeFi backbone to build something truly accessible for retail users.
How does this new app align with Aave’s broader strategy to grow its $55-56 billion deposit base in DeFi markets?
This app is a critical piece of our growth puzzle. While Aave already manages a massive deposit base in DeFi lending markets, much of that comes from institutional or experienced users. This retail app opens the door to millions of potential new users who’ve never engaged with DeFi before. By making savings accessible and appealing to the average person, we’re not just growing deposits but also expanding the entire DeFi ecosystem. It’s a gateway product—start with savings, build trust, and eventually introduce users to other Aave offerings as they get comfortable.
What’s your forecast for the future of retail-focused DeFi products like this app in the next few years?
I’m incredibly optimistic about retail DeFi. Over the next few years, I expect to see a wave of products that bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain, much like this app does. As user interfaces improve and education around DeFi spreads, adoption will skyrocket—potentially surpassing traditional fintech in certain markets. Regulatory clarity will also play a big role; if frameworks become more supportive, we could see DeFi savings and lending become as commonplace as checking accounts. My forecast is that by 2028, retail DeFi will be a household term, with platforms like ours leading the charge in redefining personal finance.
