Aave vs 
Compound
The two protocols that defined on-chain lending, both still running years later. Compound established the pooled-lending model and the governance token that launched the DeFi summer; Aave iterated faster and now carries far more deposits, more assets and features Compound never shipped. It is a rare, clean case of first mover versus faster follower where the outcome is already visible in the numbers below.
12 months, both starting at 100 (AUD)
AAVE → 42 · COMP → 44| Measure | AAVE | COMP |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | A$3.0B | A$0.3B |
| Rank | #47 | #174 |
| Price | A$197.13 | A$31.04 |
| 90-day change (AUD) | +70.6% | +28.1% |
| 12-month change (AUD) | −51.8% | −51.8% |
| From all-time high | −76.8% | −97.2% |
| Supply model | Capped: 16.0M max | Capped: 10.0M max |
| AU exchanges we verify it on | 3 | 3 |
About Aave
Aave is the leading decentralised lending protocol, where users supply and borrow crypto against collateral without an intermediary. The AAVE token governs the protocol and backs its safety module.
About Compound
FAQ
Which is bigger, Aave or Compound?
By market value today: Aave (A$3.0B vs A$0.3B). Size measures money invested, not quality — but it does measure liquidity, which affects how easily you can buy and sell.
Which performed better this year?
Over the past 12 months in AUD terms: AAVE −51.8%, COMP −51.8% — the chart above shows the whole path, which matters more than the endpoints. Past performance is no indicator of future results, in either direction.
Can I buy both in Australia?
Yes — both are listed on AUSTRAC-registered exchanges we verify. AAVE appears on 3 of our reviewed platforms and COMP on 3. Compare costs first on the fee calculator, and remember every crypto-to-crypto swap between them is a CGT event.
Should I hold AAVE or COMP?
That's a personal decision we don't make for you — this page exists to make the structural differences clear so the choice is yours. What we'd say to anyone: understand what job each coin is designed for, size positions like the risk is real, and check the honest failure statistics before going further down the market-cap list.
Data from our market records (powered by CoinGecko), refreshed with the daily rebuild. General information only, not financial advice — we compare structure and history, we don't pick winners.