Aave Survives $8.45 Billion Bank Run After Vulnerability Attack

Aave, a prominent player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, recently navigated a significant vulnerability attack that exposed its resilience under pressure.

The incident occurred in April 2026 when KelpDAO's LayerZero bridge was compromised, resulting in a $292 million vulnerability. This security breach led to an extraordinary bank run on deposits within 48 hours, with withdrawals exceeding $8.45 billion.

However, Aave's ability to absorb the shock and continue operating without significant disruption is a testament to its robustness. The platform was able to raise $300 million through a combination of community funding and founder support, which helped mitigate the impact of the attack.