Reaching this benchmark took a while, but as of 5 p.m. EDT Sunday, defi protocols pushed the TVL up to $101.42 billion.
The total value locked (TVL) in decentralized finance (defi) has finally crossed the $100 billion mark, according to data from Defi Llama on Sunday, August 21, 2023. At 5 p.m. EDT, defi protocols pushed the TVL up to $101.42 billion. Lido leads the pack with $31.138 billion, thanks to its role in securing a sizeable 9.79 million ether (ETH). Aave ranks next among defi protocols with $16.435 billion locked on Sunday.
The liquid staking platform enables users to earn rewards for staking their crypto without having to actively participate in the process. Lido is currently the largest defi protocol by TVL, and it plays a crucial role in securing the Ethereum network. Aave, on the other hand, brings a unique approach by allowing users to lend, borrow, and earn interest on crypto without middlemen.
Rounding out the top three, Eigenlayer holds $13.443 billion, offering a restaking service tailored for the Ethereum ecosystem. Restaking enables users to leverage their staked assets across multiple protocols, potentially earning rewards without releasing the original funds. Among the other standout defi protocols by TVL size are Ether.fi, a staking protocol; Sky (formerly Makerdao), a lending protocol; and Uniswap, the decentralized exchange (dex) platform.
Ether.fi currently manages a solid $8.205 billion, while Sky holds around $6.416 billion in TVL. Meanwhile, Uniswap’s dex platform has $5.623 billion locked in value as of press time. Altogether, these six giants account for 80.12% of the total value locked (TVL) in defi today.
In other words, while the remaining $20.16 billion is spread across the other 4,206 platforms. But the story doesn’t stop there. Binance’s liquid staking platform, securing 1.62 million ether, adds another $5.064 billion in TVL, roughly 4.99% of the $101.42 billion locked across defi.
While this concentrated value benefits the major players like Lido, Aave, and Binance, it also brings higher risk. A serious issue with any one of these platforms—similar to challenges faced by other defi apps over the years—could have a ripple effect, potentially shaking up the broader defi world.
As the defi sector grows, its resilience will likely be tested by the concentration of assets within a few major platforms. Whether this concentration fosters innovation or invites further vulnerabilities remains to be seen in the evolving world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
