GHO

GHO (GHO) is a decentralized, overcollateralized stablecoin native to the Aave lending protocol, minted by users who lock crypto collateral within Aave and targeting a one-dollar peg. Unlike reserve-backed dollars, GHO is created as debt against surplus collateral, and the interest borrowers pay to mint it accrues to the Aave DAO, turning the stablecoin into a revenue line for the protocol rather than a product of an external issuer.

How Aave captures the stablecoin's economics

The strength is alignment: GHO lets a large, battle-tested money market capture stablecoin economics directly, with a facilitator model that can extend minting to approved partners while collateral overcollateralization backs the peg. The weaknesses are the classic decentralized-stablecoin ones: holding the dollar peg through volatility and liquidations demands active parameter management, adoption must overcome the deep entrenchment of fiat-backed incumbents, and GHO's fortunes are bound to Aave's health and governance. It has faced periods trading below peg during its ramp.

The DeFi user GHO fits

GHO suits DeFi users who want a crypto-native, protocol-aligned dollar and understand collateralized-debt mechanics. Descriptive, not advice.

1. 1. Choose an exchange. Pick a reputable exchange that lists GHO — among the venues we rate highest are Binance, OKX and Kraken.
2. 2. Create & verify your account. Register, enable two-factor authentication, and complete identity verification (KYC).
3. 3. Deposit funds. Add money by bank transfer, card, or a stablecoin, depending on what the exchange supports in your region.
4. 4. Buy GHO. Search for GHO, choose a market or limit order, enter your amount, and confirm.
5. 5. Secure your coins. For long-term holdings, withdraw GHO to a self-custody wallet you control rather than leaving it on the exchange.

Compare venues in our independent exchange ratings. This is not financial advice.