Against the backdrop of the growing popularity of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, Aave and Compound continue to achieve success, while new player Unstaked offers a fresh approach for everyday users.
Aave Surpasses $40 Billion Milestone
Aave recently reached a significant milestone, surpassing $40 billion in total value locked as a result of increasing user deposits and growing demand for its lending solutions. The platform's strong performance reflects rising confidence and broader user activity. Much of this growth is driven by Ether and its derivatives, which now make up a significant portion of Aave's collateral. The ETH balance on the platform has increased from roughly 6 million to nearly 10 million, demonstrating a strong uptick in liquidity and protocol usage. The increase in TVL shows that users are opting for platforms with transparent, non-custodial features.
Compound Leverages Smart Rate Adjustments for Growth
Compound employs a unique approach to DeFi lending with a system that automatically adjusts interest rates based on real-time market activity. Users can deposit cryptocurrencies into liquidity pools and receive cTokens, which rise in value as borrowers pay interest. This system ensures transparent processes and encourages long-term participation. Another key feature of Compound is its governance model, where COMP holders can vote on decisions affecting protocol functions, such as interest adjustments or security improvements. Recent price movements have reflected the protocol's sensitivity to such updates. With increasing on-chain interactions, Compound shows how data-driven lending platforms can deliver efficiency and active participation from users.
Unstaked Gains Attention as the Top Retail Crypto of 2025
While platforms like Aave and Compound focus on high-level finance, Unstaked is catering to everyday users. It eliminates barriers by providing easy-to-use tools with real-world benefits and AI agents accessible without technical skills. Its strength lies in combining automation with user-driven efforts. Instead of rewarding idle holders, Unstaked allows users to earn through tasks, referrals, and missions, with actions recorded through a system called Proof of Intelligence. Users can earn $UNSD from a $1 million giveaway, making the experience both fun and rewarding.
Getting started with DeFi shouldn’t demand deep knowledge or major capital. Although Aave and Compound continue to add value, their audience consists of users familiar with advanced financial tools. In contrast, Unstaked promotes a hands-on model focused on usability and active contribution. This framework rewards meaningful actions over passive holding, providing a space for users seeking practical engagement with cryptocurrency, blending finances with real community experience.
