Grayscale debuts new fund that gives investors exposure to governance token Aave

Grayscale Investment launched a new fund that provides investors exposure to governance token AAVE -0.06% , the asset management firm said on Thursday.

The trust, called the Grayscale Aave Trust, is available for "eligible individual and institutional accredited investors," the firm said in a statement. The Aave platform is a decentralized finance crypto platform that allows investors to borrow and lend crypto and uses smart contracts.

“Grayscale Aave Trust gives investors exposure to a protocol with the potential to revolutionize traditional finance,” said Grayscale’s Head of Product & Research, Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary in a statement. “By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, Aave's decentralized platform aims to optimize lending and borrowing while removing intermediaries and reducing reliance on human judgment.”

Grayscale has launched a number of crypto funds, specifically spot bitcoin and ether ETFs over the past year. The SEC   approved several spot Bitcoin ETFs in January, including from firms such as BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity. Later, the agency approved eight Ethereum ETFs.

Other firms are now vying to launch other spot crypto ETFs, including one from Bitwise that would track XRP. Separately, Grayscale said it has plans to launch an XRP "closed-end" fund for accredited investors.