Ethereum News Today: DeFi TVL Hits $153B Peak in July 2025 Driven by 57% Growth and Institutional Inflows

The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector has experienced a significant surge in total value locked (TVL), reaching a peak of $153 billion in July 2025 — a 57% increase from April 2025 and the highest level since mid-2022. This growth reflects heightened investor demand, improved protocol efficiency, and the maturation of underlying infrastructure. The integration of AI-powered tools is transforming DeFi from a complex niche into a more accessible and dynamic financial ecosystem [1].

Lending platforms remain central to this expansion, collectively holding $55 billion in assets. Aave and Lido DAO each command approximately $33 billion in locked value, anchoring Ethereum’s TVL growth. These platforms benefit from the return of double-digit yields and institutional flows, particularly through Ethereum-based yield schemes that have attracted over $4.6 billion in new capital [1]. Aave’s success is linked to algorithmic lending, while Lido continues to dominate liquid staking under Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model, demonstrating their foundational role in the DeFi stack.

BNB’s DeFi footprint remains robust, driven by its ecosystem’s low-cost infrastructure and cross-chain liquidity channels. The asset continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless on-chain access to yield-generating products. Ethena, a high-yield protocol, has also gained traction, generating substantial monthly revenues and showcasing the rising influence of protocol-native earning platforms. The influx of institutional capital into these systems further validates their scalability and reliability, with smart contracts increasingly managing yield allocations.

Ether.fi has emerged as a key player in decentralized staking, drawing long-term capital into Ethereum-based applications. Its yield model aligns with evolving cross-chain infrastructure, supporting broader ecosystem growth. Meanwhile, the expansion of Layer-2 networks and AI-native tools like INFINIT is streamlining DeFi experiences, reducing friction, and enabling modular yield strategies. These innovations are making DeFi more user-friendly and scalable for both retail and institutional investors [1].

Taken together, the developments highlight a shift from short-term volatility to a more structured and efficient DeFi landscape. Rising trader preference for decentralized exchanges and the integration of advanced liquidity solutions point to a deeper and more resilient market structure. This momentum suggests that DeFi’s current growth is not merely a rebound, but a fundamental evolution toward broader adoption and institutional integration.

Source: [1] Top 5 DeFi Titans Dominate TVL Surge With Over $35B Locked — Capital Inflows Spike 22% Amid Investor Frenzy (https://cryptonewsland.com/top-5-defi-titans-dominate-tvl-surge-with-over-35b-locked-capital-inflows-spike-22-amid-investor-frenzy/)