DeFi TVL climbed to $166 billion on April 21, 2025, up 0.6%, as investors fled stock market drops, per CNN Business. Trump’s 125% tariffs and Fed criticism drove interest in decentralized finance, though China’s trade stance poses liquidity risks. The shift suggests a hedge against traditional market instability, but its sustainability is debated.
Critics argue this growth may falter if economic uncertainty persists, with web sentiment showing cautious optimism. Some question whether DeFi can truly decouple from global trade woes, given China’s potential crypto disposal. Its resilience will be tested as policies evolve.