Top DeFi Protocols to Use in 2025

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is changing how people manage money by giving them new ways to borrow, lend, save, and invest without using regular banks or financial institutions. In 2025, the space is not just getting popular but also becoming more secure and reliable as new protocols are being built to support user experience, and existing platforms are improving their services to meet the demand of users.

As there are now more people participating in the DeFi ecosystem and support from Layer-2 solutions, certain platforms have emerged as the top-performing and most widely used in blockchains.

These protocols have stood out for their innovation, consistent growth in total value locked (TVL), yields, and ability to integrate with multiple financial strategies. Here is a detailed overview of the top DeFi protocols to use in 2025, based on statistics and their technology.

Top DeFi Protocols to Use in 2025

1. Aave

Aave is an established lending protocol in the DeFi space where users can lend or borrow cryptocurrencies without the need for a third party. Users can also deposit assets to earn passive income or use their crypto as collateral to borrow other tokens.

The protocol supports multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Optimism, Base, and more.

Allowing the offerings of fast loans, interest rate switching, and credit delegation has made it a preferred choice for many users. The protocol’s TVL is over 17 billion dollars, and it yields percentages for stablecoins ranging depending on demand, but most fall within 2 to 12 percent.

2. Lido Finance

Lido is the best choice when it comes to liquid staking, especially on Ethereum. It allows users to stake Ethereum and other assets while still maintaining liquidity by issuing a representative token like stETH, and it can then be used across other DeFi platforms to earn more rewards.

By 2025, its TVL has passed 30 billion dollars, making it one of the largest DeFi platforms globally, and its LDO token is used for governance, giving users the ability to vote on key decisions affecting the future of the protocol.

3. EigenLayer

EigenLayer has a new concept called restaking, which allows users to take their already staked ETH or stETH and stake it again to earn extra yield. This model makes it possible to secure new services and earn additional rewards without compromising the original staking benefits.

The total value locked on EigenLayer has reached more than 7 billion dollars as of the beginning of 2025, and its yields around 4 percent and vary a few moments. Its native token, EIGEN, launched in 2024 and rewards users and supports services from validators.

4. Pendle Finance

Pendle has gained attention for enabling users to split their assets earned over time. One part represents the base asset, and the other represents future yield, making the setup allow users to trade or lock in yields based on their financial goals or market predictions.

The platform has a total value locked of over 2.6 billion dollars and supports various tokens like stETH, aUSDC, and others. It is especially useful for users who want fixed returns or who want to trade on future yield movements.

5. Curve Finance

Curve is well known for its efficient swapping of stablecoins with a minimum difference between the expected and actual outcome of a trade, making it the base liquidity layer for many DeFi platforms.

With a total value locked of around 5.5 billion dollars, Curve is one of the most used DeFi platforms. It supports tokens like USDT, USDC, DAI, and others. Users earn passive yield through providing liquidity, and those who lock the CRV token can boost their earnings.

6. MakerDAO

Sky Protocol, formerly known as MakerDAO, is leading in issuing decentralized stablecoins like DAI and USDS. These tokens are supported by a mix of cryptocurrencies and real-life assets. Users can deposit collateral to mint DAI, which can then be used in the DeFi ecosystem.

The platform has a TVL of between 6 and 12 billion dollars, and offers saving tools like the DAI Savings Rate, which has yielded up to 5 percent. The system is governed by the MKR and SKY tokens.

7. Uniswap

Uniswap is also one of the most used decentralized exchanges on multiple blockchains. It allows users to swap tokens directly from their wallets without needing a middleman. The protocol uses an automated market maker model, where users provide liquidity and earn trading fees in return.

Uniswap has integrated with Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, and other Layer-2 networks. It is also expanding into advanced financial products and minimizing the usage of gas, which has made it a reliable option for trading and liquidity provision.

8. Balancer

Balancer offers unique features that allow users to create liquidity pools with multiple tokens and custom weightings. This makes it ideal for a portfolio in terms of liquidity, where you can manage risk and exposure in one pool.

The protocol has a total value locked of nearly 1.8 billion dollars, plus it supports complex liquidity arrangements and is increasingly used in different blockchain setups.

9. Compound and Morpho

Compound is a foundational DeFi protocol for lending and borrowing. Morpho is a newer layer built on top of Compound, offering more efficient interest rates by matching borrowers and lenders directly rather than through pooled liquidity.

Combined, these platforms offer safer liquidation mechanics and better capital use. Morpho in particular is gaining traction, especially on Polygon and other Layer-2 platforms that are growing. Total assets managed through Morpho vaults are nearing 900 million dollars, making them benefit from a strong developer base.

Conclusion

Protocols like Aave, Lido, EigenLayer, Pendle, Curve, Sky, Uniswap, Balancer, Compound, and Morpho in 2025 are getting recognized for their innovation, yield, support from different blockchains, and secure infrastructure.

These platforms are the best for lending, staking, trading, and investing in decentralized finance; hence, users looking to benefit from DeFi in 2025 should consider protocols that show growth, high total value locked, and use cases like the ones we have outlined here.

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