The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has formally closed its almost four-year investigation into the Aave Protocol and stated it does not intend to bring an enforcement action; the agency added the closure should not be read as an endorsement. Aave founder Stani Kulechov said the prolonged probe was a heavy burden and that its end gives developers clarity to focus on innovation. The report frames the decision amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of DeFi and notes that some crypto firms are increasingly seeking friendlier jurisdictions outside the U.S.

SEC closed an almost four-year probe and said it does not intend to bring enforcement action (reduces regulatory uncertainty) but explicitly cautioned the closure is not an endorsement (limits unequivocal positive signal). Founder commented the investigation imposed a heavy burden and its end provides clarity for developers. Story is framed within continuing regulatory scrutiny and firms looking beyond the U.S., which tempers immediate market enthusiasm. These facts support a mildly bullish sentiment and a moderate market-impact score for short-term traders.