Aave adopts Chainlink CCIP as default engine for cross-chain actions

Aave has expanded its use of Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), making it the default infrastructure for cross-chain activity across its ecosystem.

According to an announcement from Aave, the protocol has selected Chainlink CCIP to power cross-chain functions across the Aave App and Stable Vaults, extending an integration that already supports GHO stablecoin transfers and governance messaging.

The update places a single interoperability layer behind token transfers, vault management, and governance execution instead of relying on separate systems for different tasks.

Previously, CCIP was already responsible for moving Aave’s GHO stablecoin across supported networks and for handling cross-chain governance through the Aave Delivery Infrastructure, or a.DI. With the latest expansion, the same infrastructure will now process deposits, withdrawals, vault rebalancing, yield optimization, and asset transfers carried out through the Aave App.

Cross-chain operations now run through one infrastructure

Inside the Aave App, Stable Vaults automatically move deposits between Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum to improve returns for users. Under the new setup, CCIP carries out those background transfers without requiring users to manually bridge assets before moving funds between supported networks.

Aave Labs introduced Stable Vaults as an infrastructure product that allows businesses to add fixed-rate stablecoin yield to their own applications. According to Aave, the same vault technology already supports savings products available through the Aave App.

GHO and Savings GHO also rely on CCIP through Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Token standard. According to Aave, GHO is now available across eight blockchain networks, with CCIP providing the infrastructure used to transfer the stablecoin between those supported chains.

The protocol explained that transfers from Ethereum to supported layer-2 networks use a lock-and-mint model. For transfers between other supported chains, CCIP switches to a burn-and-mint process designed to preserve GHO’s total supply while keeping the token interchangeable across networks.

Existing governance and institutional work expands

Cross-chain governance also continues to operate through the Aave Delivery Infrastructure. According to Aave, proposals approved on Ethereum can be executed across other blockchain networks where the lending protocol is deployed, allowing governance instructions and asset transfers to move through the same communication layer.

Aave added that the decision extends a relationship that began in January 2020, when the protocol adopted Chainlink Data Feeds as its oracle infrastructure. CCIP now operates alongside those services through Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network.

Security remains part of the design. According to Aave, every CCIP bridge lane used by the protocol is secured by at least 16 independent node operators spread across different organizations, geographic regions, and infrastructure providers. The system also applies rate limits that restrict the amount of value that can move between networks during abnormal conditions.

The announcement comes as Chainlink continues to expand its institutional footprint. As previously reported by crypto.news, the network joined Project Pangea in June alongside FairSquareLab, UniKA, and Qivalis to test stablecoin-based foreign exchange settlement between Europe and South Korea.

Chainlink said the initiative involves more than 50 banks representing over $10 trillion in assets under management, while Qivalis is backed by 37 European banks and UniKA represents more than 10 Korean commercial banks.