DeFi Lending Markets Experience Yield Compression and Significant Innovation in Q1 2025
The first quarter of 2025 highlights key developments in DeFi, particularly yield compression alongside market growth.
The Great Yield Compression
- DeFi yields have dropped significantly across major platforms.
- The vaults.fyi USD benchmark is now below 3.1%, falling short of the U.S. 1-month T-bill yield of ~4.3% for the first time since late 2023.
- Spark has reduced rates multiple times in 2025 from 12.5% to 4.5%.
- Aave's stablecoin yields for USDC and USDT are around 3%.
- This decline indicates a cooling market with lower borrower demand.
The TVL Paradox: Growth Despite Lower Yields
- Major stablecoin vaults on Aave, Sky, Ethena, and Compound have nearly quadrupled in size over the past year, growing from $4 billion to $15 billion.
- Despite rate cuts, Spark's total value locked (TVL) has tripled since early 2025.
- Capital remains sticky despite falling yields, reflecting institutional acceptance of DeFi as a legitimate financial infrastructure.
The Rise of Curators: DeFi's New Asset Managers
- Protocols like Morpho and Euler are introducing curators who optimize lending vaults.
- Curators actively manage risk and capital allocations, unlike traditional advisors.
- Firms like Gauntlet now manage nearly $750 million in TVL and generate substantial revenue through performance fees.
- Successful strategies leverage higher-yielding collaterals, with yields on USDC vaults showing 5-8% base yields.
Protocol Stratification: A Layered Market
- Blue-chip protocols (Aave, Compound, Sky) offer modest yields (2.4-6.5%) with high security and liquidity.
- Infrastructure optimizers like Morpho and Euler enable greater capital efficiency.
- Users face a complex landscape where yield potential depends on protocol efficiency and strategy sophistication.
Chain by Chain: Where Yields Live Now
- Ethereum mainnet continues to host many top yield opportunities despite competition from L2s and alternative chains.
- Most attractive yields outside mainnet are concentrated on Base.
- Newer chains show elevated yields, but sustainability is uncertain as incentives fade.
The DeFi Mullet: FinTech in the Front, DeFi in the Back
- Coinbase launched Bitcoin-collateralized loans via Morpho on its Base network.
- This integration combines fintech interfaces with DeFi infrastructure, allowing significant borrowing against Bitcoin holdings.
- It signifies a trend where traditional firms adopt DeFi mechanisms while maintaining familiar user experiences.
Looking Forward: Catalysts for the Lending Market
- Democratized curation may allow retail users to customize risk-yield optimization.
- Integration of real-world assets could diversify yield sources.
- Growing institutional comfort with DeFi may enhance capital flows and alter lending dynamics.
- Specialized lending markets targeting specific needs are emerging.
- Protocols that excel across the risk spectrum will likely thrive by serving both conservative and aggressive investors.