AAVE vs MKR: Aave vs Maker (Sky) — 2026 Comparison
This page compares Aave (AAVE) and Maker (Sky) (MKR) using the DeFi Intel research dataset. Governance token of Aave, a leading decentralized money market protocol. Holders govern risk parameters and the Safety Module backstop. Governance token of MakerDAO, the protocol behind DAI. MKR holders vote on collateral types, stability fees, and absorb bad debt as a backstop. As of the last data review, AAVE ranks #38 by approximate market capitalisation (≈$2.4B) and MKR ranks #31 (≈$2.4B).
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Aave (AAVE) | Maker (Sky) (MKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Market-cap rank | #38 | #31 |
| Approx market cap (USD) | $2.4B | $2.4B |
| Category | DeFi Lending | DeFi Lending |
| Chain(s) | Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche, Polygon, Optimism, BSC | Ethereum |
| Token standard | ERC-20 | ERC-20 |
| Launched | October 2020 | December 2017 |
| Issuer | Aave Companies | Sky Ecosystem |
| Issuer type | DAO-governed | DAO-governed |
| Total supply | 16,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Circulating supply | 15,100,000 | 880,000 |
| Max supply | 16,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Aave (AAVE) in brief
- Governance token of Aave, a leading decentralized money market protocol. Holders govern risk parameters and the Safety Module backstop.
- Launched October 2020.
- ERC-20 token; trades on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche, Polygon, Optimism, BSC.
- Max supply: 16,000,000.
- Issuer: Aave Companies.
Full profile: Aave (AAVE) token page.
Maker (Sky) (MKR) in brief
- Governance token of MakerDAO, the protocol behind DAI. MKR holders vote on collateral types, stability fees, and absorb bad debt as a backstop.
- Launched December 2017.
- ERC-20 token; trades on Ethereum.
- Max supply: 1,000,000.
- Issuer: Sky Ecosystem.
Full profile: Maker (Sky) (MKR) token page.
Key differences (data view)
- MKR is the larger asset by market capitalisation: rank #31 (≈$2.4B) versus rank #38 (≈$2.4B) for AAVE.
- MKR is the older asset — launched in 2017, 3 years before AAVE (2020).
- They live on different chains — AAVE: Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche, Polygon, Optimism, BSC; MKR: Ethereum.
- Both are classified as DeFi Lending assets in the DeFi Intel dataset.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, AAVE or MKR?
Maker (Sky) (MKR) is larger by market capitalisation: approximately $2.4B (rank #31) versus $2.4B (rank #38) for AAVE, as of the last DeFi Intel data review.
When did Aave and Maker (Sky) launch?
Aave launched in October 2020; Maker (Sky) launched in December 2017.
Are AAVE and MKR on the same chain?
No. AAVE is on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche, Polygon, Optimism, BSC, while MKR is on Ethereum.
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Methodology & sources
Every figure on this page is drawn from the DeFi Intel token research dataset — the same data that powers the AAVE and MKR token profiles. Market capitalisations and supply figures are approximate snapshots from the last dataset review, not live quotes. DeFi Intel publishes editorial research, not financial advice.