Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is seeing its second-coming in 2025, with lending applications at the forefront. The total value locked (TVL) in the DeFi ecosystem has now surpassed $121 billion. This increase is indicative of the remarkable maturation and advancement in the industry since the 2021 bull market. DeFi lending applications are burning it up! They currently account for close to 50% of total value locked across DeFi and recently peaked at a new all-time high, overtaking the enthusiasm of the last bull run. This surge is fueled by competitive yields on stablecoins, the rise of airdrop farming, and platforms like Pintu Web3 that simplify access to DeFi protocols.

More than 60% of DeFi activity occurs on Ethereum and its Layer-2 networks, highlighting Ethereum's continued dominance in the space. Other blockchains such as Solana are quickly making the case as well, providing users unique opportunities to lend on DeFi platforms. Users have much easier access to stablecoin lending apps via web3 wallets such as MetaMask, Wallet Connect, and Trust Wallet. This ease of use makes it easier than ever to participate in the DeFi revolution.

The Rise of DeFi Lending

Lending applications quickly became one of the hottest use cases in the DeFi ecosystem. These platforms enable users to lend and borrow crypto with each other—all in a decentralized, trustless, and permissionless way. DeFi protocols offer very competitive yields for stablecoins like USDC and USDT, attracting users seeking higher returns than traditional financial institutions can provide.

You can provide coins to established lending protocols such as Aave, Morpho, or Kamino. In the process, long-term holders have the unique opportunity to earn interest on their assets. Aave, Morpho, and Compound are some of the top DeFi applications, providing safe and trustworthy lending and borrowing services. Generating passive income from crypto assets motivates expansion within the DeFi lending industry. This opportunity has turned into a major driver for many investors.

The popularity of DeFi lending during this recent boom can be partially credited to the growing user-friendliness of these platforms. Pintu Web3 is democratizing access by opening doors for everyday users. Its built-in wallet allows direct, secure connections to Kamino, removing the reliance on additional wallet extensions and making it more convenient for newcomers to onboard. This simplicity of use, paired with the lucrative potential of high yields, is drawing new audiences to DeFi lending.

Airdrop Farming and DeFi Education

Airdrop farming has recently become one of the hottest trends in the crypto space. It continually supports user interface understanding and encourages the usage of DeFi protocol. Projects with airdrop potential like Hyperliquid, Jito and Jupiter have had meteoric success. This success has encouraged users to actively farm across various DeFi platforms, all in pursuit of accumulating lucrative token rewards. This trend has further fueled the growth of DeFi lending, as users often need to deposit assets into lending protocols to qualify for airdrops.

As we experienced a huge wave of defi education during the 2024, 2025 bull market. That reinvigorated attention to the space has proven essential to the industry’s continued expansion. Large airdrops such as Hyperliquid’s are getting the market’s attention and exciting the already-booming Web3 ecosystem. This unprecedented boom is inspiring users to dive headfirst into the newly emerging bounty and dangers lying within DeFi. This new infusion of awareness has driven more people to participate in DeFi lending and other DeFi activities.

DeFi education initiatives are helping users understand the complexities of decentralized finance and make informed decisions about their investments. As more users identify risks and benefits in DeFi, the ecosystem will hopefully further grow and mature. Airdrop incentives paired with educational content are creating a powerful flywheel effect. This dynamic is rocket-fuelling both adoption and innovation in the DeFi space.

Simplifying Access with Pintu Web3

The user experience has been one of the biggest hurdles for broad DeFi adoption. Traditional DeFi platforms often require users to navigate complex interfaces, manage multiple wallets, and pay high transaction fees. Platforms such as Pintu Web3 are meeting these challenges head-on, offering a simpler, more intuitive and accessible experience.

With Pintu Web3, you can quickly and easily browse and access thousands of crypto apps. Consumers will be able to easily interact with DeFi protocols, even if they don’t have deep technical expertise. With Pintu Web3 users can directly access Kamino Lend. When connected with most wallets this secure connection allows users to skip additional wallet extensions. This more intuitive and frictionless experience lowers the barrier to entry allowing beginners to get their feet wet in the world of DeFi lending.

Since DeFi apps are becoming available on multiple blockchains, the opportunities for users continue to grow. Kamino Lend is a unique DeFi application that helps crypto users lend and borrow using the Solana blockchain. Meanwhile, Sky Lend and Ethena are both built and deployed with Ethereum. This cross-chain compatibility gives users the ability to expand their DeFi presence. It allows them to take advantage of the unique features and benefits that different blockchains provide. Platforms such as Pintu Web3 are making it easier than ever to access DeFi lending. Beyond these benefits, cross-chain compatibility helps them bridge interoperability divides, bringing blockchain into the mainstream.