TLDR
- Aave now supports syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT from Maple’s credit pools.
- Maple Finance holds $2.78B in TVL as of October 2025.
- syrupUSDC is listed on Aave’s Core, syrupUSDT on its Plasma market.
- The integration connects DeFi users with institutional capital sources.
In a key move for decentralized finance, Aave has added Maple Finance’s yield-bearing stablecoins to its lending markets. This partnership links Aave’s large user base with Maple’s institutional credit pools. The integration aims to boost borrowing activity and expand stablecoin use across DeFi. It also brings a new kind of collateral to Aave, backed by institutional capital managed by Maple.
Maple’s Stablecoins Enter Aave Ecosystem
On October 22, Aave and Maple Finance announced the integration of two new stablecoins — syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT — into Aave’s lending protocol. These stablecoins are issued by Maple Finance and are backed by assets from its onchain credit pools. SyrupUSDC will be listed in Aave’s main market, while syrupUSDT will be offered through its Plasma deployment.
Maple Finance manages billions in institutional capital through credit pools that allocate funds to vetted borrowers. The introduction of syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT into Aave is designed to give users access to yield-generating assets while also enabling borrowing against them. Aave currently has over $39 billion in total value locked (TVL), while Maple holds around $2.78 billion, according to DefiLlama.
Expanding Access to Institutional Capital
Maple’s goal with the integration is to bring institutional-grade capital closer to retail and crypto-native users through onchain systems. The syrup stablecoins reflect underlying loans made by Maple’s credit pools to institutions. This approach helps create a bridge between traditional credit markets and decentralized liquidity.
The partnership also provides Aave users with new options for borrowing and lending. By using syrupUSDC or syrupUSDT as collateral or deposit assets, users can earn yield or access liquidity in a different way. Maple stated that the integration is aimed at “stabilizing borrow demand and improving capital efficiency” in the Aave protocol.
Institutional Growth in DeFi Lending
Maple’s total value locked has increased sharply in 2025, jumping from $296.9 million in January to $2.78 billion as of October. This growth reflects a larger trend in the DeFi space, where institutional interest in stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets is growing. According to Binance Research, lending protocols grew over 72% this year due to this trend.
In June, Maple also expanded syrupUSDC to the Solana blockchain, adding $30 million in liquidity there. These moves mark a rebound for the company after difficulties in 2022. That year, it faced loan defaults linked to the collapse of FTX-Alameda and exposure to firms like Orthogonal Trading.
Future Developments and Aave V4 Plans
The integration of Maple’s stablecoins comes just weeks after Aave shared its roadmap for a major upgrade. Aave V4 is expected in late 2025 and will introduce a modular design with shared liquidity and improved risk tools. This upgrade may create more flexibility for handling new asset types like Maple’s stablecoins.
With syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT now part of Aave’s offerings, both protocols are positioned to benefit from wider stablecoin adoption. However, it remains to be seen how much institutional capital will flow into Aave through this partnership. Both Aave and Maple have stated that they will monitor usage and adjust liquidity strategies accordingly.
