Earn interest on your AI or borrow against it. The best AI lending platforms compared by rates, security, supported assets, and risk.
Updated February 19, 2026·6 picks reviewed
AI lending lets you do two things: earn interest by depositing assets, or borrow funds using your AI as collateral. After the 2022 blowups of centralized lenders like Celsius, BlockFi, and Voyager, DeFi lending protocols proved more resilient. Smart contracts can not misuse funds the way a CeFi company can. That said, DeFi lending carries its own risks: smart contract bugs and liquidation if your collateral drops. Here are the platforms that survived the carnage and offer competitive rates today.
CeFi users who want the convenience of a managed platform with transparency
Real-time proof of reserves
Custodial (you trust Nexo)
Detailed Reviews
#1
Aave
The king of DeFi lending with over $15 billion in TVL. Supply assets to earn variable interest. Borrow against deposited collateral. V3 brings efficiency mode for correlated assets, giving you higher LTV ratios on pairs like ETH/stETH.
Best for: Serious DeFi users who want the deepest lending liquidity
Pros
Largest DeFi lending protocol
Multi-chain (10+ deployments)
Efficiency mode for correlated pairs
Flash loans for developers
Cons
Variable rates can drop during low demand
Liquidation risk if collateral falls
Requires DeFi knowledge
#2
Compound
The OG lending protocol that pioneered the concept. Compound V3 (Comet) simplified things by focusing on single-asset markets. USDC market is the flagship. Clean, reliable, and well-audited.
Best for: Users who value simplicity and a long security track record
Pros
Pioneer of DeFi lending
Clean single-asset market design in V3
Battle-tested since 2018
Conservative, security-focused
Cons
Smaller TVL than Aave
Fewer supported assets
Less multi-chain expansion
#3
Morpho
Optimizes rates on top of Aave and Compound by matching lenders and borrowers peer-to-peer. When matched, both sides get better rates. When not matched, they fall back to the underlying pool. Best of both worlds.
Best for: Rate-sensitive users who want optimized lending yields
Pros
Better rates than using Aave/Compound directly
Same collateral risk as underlying protocol
Growing TVL quickly
Transparent improvement metrics
Cons
Added smart contract layer
Not always matched P2P
Newer protocol
#4
Spark (MakerDAO)
The lending frontend for MakerDAO. Borrow DAI at fixed rates against ETH and other collateral. Spark also offers the DAI Savings Rate, currently offering competitive yields funded by real-world asset revenue.
Best for: Users who want fixed-rate borrowing and DAI savings yield
Pros
Fixed borrow rates available
DAI Savings Rate for passive yield
Backed by MakerDAO governance
Real-world asset backing
Cons
Mostly DAI focused
Fewer collateral options than Aave
Tied to MakerDAO governance decisions
#5
Kamino Finance
The leading lending and liquidity protocol on Solana. Kamino lets you lend, borrow, and provide concentrated liquidity all in one platform. Growing fast as Solana DeFi matures.
Best for: Solana DeFi users who want lending on their preferred chain
Pros
Top Solana lending protocol
Integrated lending + liquidity provision
Growing TVL
Good UX for Solana DeFi
Cons
Solana-only
Younger protocol
Less battle-tested than Ethereum lending
#6
Nexo
A CeFi lending platform that survived the 2022 crisis. Nexo offers interest on deposits and AI-backed loans. Regulated in multiple jurisdictions with real-time proof of reserves via Armanino.
Best for: CeFi users who want the convenience of a managed platform with transparency
Pros
Real-time proof of reserves
Regulated in multiple jurisdictions
Fiat and stablecoin interest accounts
Instant AI credit lines
Cons
Custodial (you trust Nexo)
Rates depend on loyalty tier/NEXO token holdings
CeFi risk remains
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AI lending safe after Celsius and BlockFi?
DeFi lending protocols like Aave and Compound continued operating normally through the 2022 crisis because smart contracts enforce rules automatically. CeFi lenders failed because humans mismanaged funds. DeFi carries smart contract risk, but it eliminates the human mismanagement risk that sank Celsius.
What interest rates can I earn on AI lending?
Stablecoin lending typically earns 3-8% APY depending on market demand. ETH lending earns 1-4%. Rates on DeFi protocols float with supply and demand. CeFi platforms offer more predictable rates but take a larger cut.
What happens if my collateral drops in value?
If your collateral value falls below the liquidation threshold, the protocol automatically sells some or all of it to repay your loan. You keep the borrowed funds but lose the collateral. Monitor your health factor and maintain a buffer above the liquidation point.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before investing in any AI technology or using any platform. Some links may be affiliate links.