Reflecting on the current state of DeFi as of 2025, it seems like another era altogether compared to what it was in 2021
Back then, total value locked was spread all over the place. DEXs were booming, yield aggregators were everywhere, and capital was constantly rotating as users chased the best returns.
Now, the landscape looks far more focused. TVL hasn’t disappeared, but it has clearly settled into fewer categories. Instead of bouncing between high-activity apps, capital is concentrating in lending, liquid staking, and restaking protocols. That change alone tells a bigger story about how DeFi is changing.
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The TVL Rankings Tell a Clear Story
Also, back in December of 2021, the leading DeFi platforms included: Curve, MakerDAO, Compound, Convex, Uniswap.. These platforms thrived on constant activity. Trading volume, yield farming, and liquidity incentives drove TVL higher, but that capital was always ready to move at the first sign of a better opportunity.
By December 2025, the leaderboard looks very different. Aave still sits at the top, but now it’s joined by Lido, restaking platforms like EigenLayer-style protocols, Morpho, EtherFi, and synthetic dollar systems such as Ethena.
These aren’t apps that rely on nonstop user activity. They’re designed to hold capital and keep it productive over long periods. This isn’t about hype cycles anymore. It’s about stability and efficiency.
DeFi Has Shifted From Activity to Infrastructure
The biggest takeaway from the image is how DeFi has transitioned away from activity-heavy applications toward core financial infrastructure. In 2021, TVL rose and fell with user engagement.
When trading slowed or incentives dried up, capital left just as quickly as it arrived. In 2025, TVL is anchored in protocols that function more like financial plumbing. Capital flows in, gets deployed, and stays there.
Users don’t need to constantly interact for value to be generated. That makes TVL more resilient, especially during quieter market conditions.
Top 10 Dapps by TVL: 2021 vs 2025
— Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) December 29, 2025
In 2021, TVL leaders were spread across DEXs, CDPs, and yield aggregators: Driven by active trading and yield farming.
By 2025, TVL is concentrated in lending, liquid staking, and restaking protocols.
The shift shows DeFi moving from… pic.twitter.com/mjaHEaH5SY
Therefore, the reason why lending and staking rank so highly is based on the fact that these two protocols have earned trust, have strong liquidity, and are integrated into the overall crypto market.
Why This Shift Actually Matters
This evolution points to something important: DeFi is maturing. The focus is no longer on short-term yield or rapid experimentation. Instead, the ecosystem is building systems that can support real financial activity at scale.
When capital stays parked longer, it becomes easier to manage risk, improve liquidity, and attract larger players. That’s why restaking and liquid staking have become so important. They turn idle assets into a foundation for security, credit, and settlement across multiple networks.
DEXs and trading platforms still matter, but they’re no longer the center of gravity. They sit on top of the stack, while lending and staking form the base.
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DeFi Isn’t Slowing Down – It’s Settling In
The comparison between DeFi in 2021 and 2025 doesn’t show a shrinking ecosystem. It shows one that’s growing up. Capital isn’t leaving DeFi. It’s finding longer-term homes.
It may not have the same adrenaline rush as the buzz that came before, but this more steady course is exactly the kind of thing that represents sustainable growth. DeFi isn’t fading. It’s becoming infrastructure.
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