Aave has upgraded its integration with Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), designating it as the default infrastructure for all cross-chain operations across its ecosystem. The move, announced on June 24, 2025, expands CCIP's role beyond GHO transfers and governance messaging to now power deposits, withdrawals, Stable Vaults, and asset transfers within the Aave App.
Unified cross-chain layer
Previously, Aave relied on separate systems for different cross-chain tasks. CCIP was already handling GHO stablecoin transfers across networks and governance messaging through the Aave Delivery Infrastructure (a.DI). Now, the same protocol processes deposits, withdrawals, vault rebalancing, yield optimization, and asset transfers carried out through the Aave App, creating a single interoperability layer.
Inside the Aave App, Stable Vaults automatically move deposits between Ethereum, Base, and Arbitrum to optimize returns. Under the new setup, CCIP executes those background transfers without requiring users to manually bridge assets. Aave Labs introduced Stable Vaults as an infrastructure product that lets businesses add fixed-rate stablecoin yield to their own applications, and the same vault technology supports savings products available through the Aave App.
GHO and cross-chain governance
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 for transfers between those chains. Transfers from Ethereum to supported layer-2 networks use a lock-and-mint model, while transfers between other supported chains switch to a burn-and-mint process designed to preserve GHO's total supply and keep the token interchangeable across networks.
Cross-chain governance continues through the Aave Delivery Infrastructure. Proposals approved on Ethereum can be executed across other networks where Aave is deployed, allowing governance instructions and asset transfers to move through the same communication layer.
Security and institutional expansion
Aave noted that every CCIP bridge lane it uses 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 value that can move between networks during abnormal conditions.
The announcement comes as Chainlink expands its institutional footprint. 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.