Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Aave vs Nexo
Nexo
Higher score in this comparison
Aave
What sets them apart
| Compare | AaveReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | NexoReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Supported assets | AUSDC, AUSDT, AWETH, GHO | BTC, ETH, NEXO, USDT, USDC, DOT, XRP, SOL, EURC |
| Custody | Non custodial | Custodial |
| Yield | Not confirmed | 15% |
| Lock-up terms | Not confirmed | Flexible with no lock-ups; fixed terms up to 12 months |
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Key differences
- Nexo scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.5.
- Supported assets: only Aave offers AUSDC, AUSDT, AWETH.
- Supported assets: only Nexo offers BTC, ETH, NEXO.
Our verdict on each
Aave
Aave suits holders who want a non-custodial earn account and are willing to manage their own wallet key. Custody is non custodial and the asset list is limited to aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH, so it trades breadth for control and sits apart from the custodial platforms most savers use.
Nexo
Nexo suits spenders who want crypto linked payments without a card subscription, plus earn options tied to platform balances. Monthly fee is €0 with currency conversion fees of 0.2% to 2.5% and ATM allowance of €200 to €2,000 across supported balances on Mastercard rails.
Score breakdown
| Area | Aave | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.1Monthly fee is €0 alongside conversion fees that run 0.2% to 2.5% for card spending. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4HigherCard type is debit with earn yield of 15% under custodial holding. |
| Trust | 8.4 | 8.7HigherHolding is custodial with registration such as DCE100843695-001 in Australia. |
How they place
| Ranking | Aave | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto staking and earn | 93 of 179 | 2 of 179 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Aave | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Multi currency, Crypto, Virtual card, Custodial, Travel |
| Legal entity | Aave Labs | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2020 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Aave | Nexo | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | Not confirmed | 15%highest quarter | 8% |
Median across 69 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Aave
Pros
- Custody is non custodial, so the deposit never leaves the holder's control.
- A short, deliberate asset list of aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH keeps the choice easy to weigh.
- A named operator sits behind the product: Aave Labs, working since 2020.
Cons
- Support runs on a help centre only, so help is written and asynchronous.
- The asset list stops at aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH, so coins outside that set are out of reach.
- Custody is non custodial, which puts key handling and network choice on the holder rather than on a support team.
Nexo
Pros
- Monthly fee is €0, keeping routine card upkeep free for regular spenders.
- ATM allowance spans €200 to €2,000, supporting cash access alongside card payments.
- Earn yield reaches 15% with lockup described as Flexible with no lock-ups; fixed terms up to 12 months, linking spending and rewards.
Cons
- Currency conversion fees run 0.2% to 2.5%, which exceeds Kraken at 0% and eToro at 0%.
- Balances remain in custodial custody, so private keys stay with the provider rather than with users.
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, which limits contact routes for users who prefer voice help.
Who each suits
Aave
Who it suits
- Key holders who want to earn on aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH while the deposit stays outside a custodian.
- Users comfortable with protocol mechanics rather than brokerage-style account handling.
- Savers who want a clear counterparty, since the operator is Aave Labs and the project dates from 2020.
Who should look elsewhere
- VaultLeap, for anyone who wants a simpler stablecoin-only earn account, since its assets are USDC.
- bunq Crypto Spain, for holders who want many stakeable networks at once, given its list of TAO, ADA and TIA.
- Bit2Me, for holders of BNB, GRT or KAVA who want their own tokens in an earn product, since its assets are BTC, ETH and B2M.
Nexo
Who it suits
- Spenders who want debit payments from crypto balances with monthly fee of €0.
- Travellers and cross border shoppers who accept conversion fees of 0.2% to 2.5% on Mastercard rails.
- Savers who want earn yield of 15% alongside card use in custodial custody.
Who should look elsewhere
- Users seeking the lowest conversion charges may prefer Kraken, since Kraken charges 0% against Nexo fees of 0.2% to 2.5%.
- Users wanting direct control of keys may prefer self custody wallets over Nexo, since Nexo custody is custodial.
Country by country
| Country | Aave | Nexo |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | No | Yes |
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
8 of 36 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Aave
Does Aave hold the deposit, or do I keep the keys?+
Custody is non custodial: the deposit is made from and returned to your own wallet, and no intermediary takes it into its own name. The trade-off is that recovery sits with you, so a lost key or a deposit sent on the wrong network is something the help centre cannot reverse.
Which assets can I earn on?+
The listed assets are aUSDC, aUSDT and aWETH. That is a short set built around stablecoin balances, a wrapped ether position and another stablecoin, so choosing Aave means picking a few familiar assets over a long tail of coins.
Nexo
What does the Nexo card cost to keep and use?+
Monthly fee is €0, so routine card upkeep carries no subscription charge. Currency conversion fees run 0.2% to 2.5%, which apply when spending across currencies. ATM allowance spans €200 to €2,000, which shapes cash access for frequent withdrawals.
How does the Nexo card work for payments?+
Nexo provides a debit card on the Mastercard network, referenced as Mastercard. Payments draw from crypto and fiat balances held on the platform. The structure suits users who prefer debit spending over borrowed credit.
Other options to compare
Nexo
Aave