The Top 5 DeFi Tokens by Market Capitalisation in 2025: New Name May Surprise You

Decentralised Finance (DeFi) continues to reshape the financial landscape and has made DeFi tokens a relevant digital asset in 2025. DeFi offers innovative solutions that bypass traditional intermediaries.

Consequently, DeFi tokens have surged in popularity, driving significant market capitalisation growth in 2025.

In this article, CryptoGuide GH unveils the top 5 DeFi tokens by market cap. It will feature established giants and surprising newcomers like Hyperliquid (HYPE), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Polkadot (DOT), and Uniswap (UNI).

Let’s dive into why these tokens continue to stay relevant in the saturated cryptocurrency market and explore their investment potential.

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The Top 5 DeFi Tokens in 2025

1. Hyperliquid (HYPE)

This protocol has a robust ecosystem, with its flagship project being a decentralised exchange (DEX). Hyperliquid has rocketed to the forefront of DeFi, commanding a sizable market share in decentralised perpetual trading.

As of publication, it trails PancakeSwap, Uniswap, Raydium, Orca, Aerodrome, and Meteora in the ranks of the biggest DEXs by 24-hour volume.

That said, Hyperliquid has also surpassed Pump, Fluid, Curve Finance, SUN, Balancer, Velodrome, DODO, and QuickSwap, among others.

HYPE, launched in November 2024, is the cryptocurrency that powers the high-performance Layer 1 Hyperliquid blockchain. At its peak, it processes about 100,000 orders per second.

With a valuation of approximately $14 billion, coupled with more than a 70% spike year-to-date (YTD), HYPE is the largest DeFi token by market capitalisation.

Hyperliquid’s innovative on-chain order book model positions it as a formidable player.

Having gained ground above competitor tokens such as Uniswap (UNI), PancakeSwap (CAKE), Curve (CRV), and others, many analysts believe HYPE could reach a new milestone in the future.

CoinCodex analysts believe HYPE could trade for an average price of $146.73, the smallest price of $129.26, and the biggest price of $167.73 by the end of 2029.

2. Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink remains a cornerstone of DeFi, and LINK is among the patronised DeFi tokens. It provides a secure oracle service that connects smart contracts to real-world data. It has been an active player in the market ever since decentralised applications (dApps) flooded it after COVID-19.

As of publication, LINK was exchanging hands for $14.57. The cryptocurrency had a 24-hour trading volume of about $530 million and a market capitalisation of approximately $9.5 billion.

LINK has rebounded strongly, bolstered by partnerships like facilitating Hong Kong’s CBDC and Australian dollar stablecoin exchanges. Its path towards becoming a large market cap digital asset, where it will command more than $10 billion in value, underscores its critical role in DeFi ecosystems.

At CryptoGuide GH, we recommend traders and investors to consider long-term investments in LINK and other digital assets. CoinCodex analysts believe LINK could trade for a regular price of $46.81, the least price of $42.52, and the best price of $51.57 by the end of 2030.

3. Stellar (XLM)

Stellar, formerly Stellar Lumens, excels in rapid, affordable cross-border payments. This makes it a standout in DeFi’s utility-driven sector. XLM, the novel token of the protocol, has recently gained momentum. The growth has pushed the token into the top five DeFi tokens by market value. As of publication, XLM’s market capitalisation of $8.7 billion reflects its growing adoption.

Its decentralised platform optimises transactions. This positions it as a reliable choice for investors seeking practical applications.

Stellar partnerships with the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation to develop virtual assets and facilitate CBDC infrastructure bode well for the token due to the adoption of its underlying infrastructure. What’s more, the United Nations (UN) chose Stellar to trial its stablecoin as a means of transferring money to residents in Ukraine due to the ongoing war.

Many analysts, gurus, and experts believe adoption could take XLM to new price milestones in the future. Those at CoinCodex predict XLM could trade hands for an average price of $0.66, the smallest price of $0.61, and the best price of $0.73 by the end of 2030.

4. Polkadot (DOT)

Polkadot’s interoperable blockchain protocol enhances DeFi by enabling seamless cross-chain communication. With a robust developer community, DOT maintains a strong market position. Its ability to connect disparate blockchains fuels its relevance in 2025’s DeFi landscape. Polkadot is among the most active protocols in the crypto space, as its development activity remains high.

As of publication, DOT, the novel token of the platform, boasted a price of $4.12. It had a 24-hour volume of more than $300 million and a market capitalisation of about $6.5 billion.

Positive market sentiment and a surge in development activity could push DOT towards its peak price of $55, recorded in November 2021.

Changelly analysts forecast DOT to surpass its all-time high (ATH) in the long term. According to them, DOT could surpass $55 in 2032. By the end of the year, the DeFi token could trade for an average price of $67.06, the least price of $64.80, and the biggest price of $77.36.

5. Uniswap (UNI)

Uniswap, a DeFi pioneer since 2018, continues to dominate decentralised exchanges. Despite competition from PancakeSwap, Hyperliquid, SuperEx, DODO, Balancer, Curve, and others, Uniswap continues to see billions of dollars in daily trading volume. As of publication, Uniswap had a 24-hour trading volume of $4 billion.

Its vault (V4) upgrade enhances flexibility and scalability. This has solidified UNI’s billions of dollars in annual fees and top-tier market capitalisation. Uniswap’s consistent innovation keeps it ahead of competitors.

As of publication, UNI, the novel token that oversees transactions on the DEX, had a 24-hour trading volume of $500 million. Its price hovered between $8 and $10, and its market capitalisation was approximately $5 billion.

Combining fundamental and technical analysis, Changelly analysts forecast UNI to surpass its ATH price of $44.97 in 2027. According to them, UNI could trade for a coin at an average price of $44.88, the smallest price of $43.38, and the biggest price of $50.59.

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Should You Buy DeFi Tokens in 2025?

Investing in DeFi tokens in 2025 presents compelling opportunities, yet caution is warranted. The DeFi market commands a value of $270 billion with a 24-hour daily trading volume of about $39 billion, reflecting robust investor confidence.

Moreover, tokens like Hyperliquid and UNI demonstrate explosive growth, driven by innovative protocols and high user adoption. However, volatility remains a concern, as seen in the constant dips in more than 50% of tokens due to short-selling.

To mitigate risks, thoroughly research each project’s fundamentals. For instance, Hyperliquid’s bootstrapped development avoids VC dilution, while Chainlink’s established partnerships enhance stability.

Diversifying across tokens like UNI, HYPER, DOT, and others, which boast consistent revenue, can balance potential gains with security. Ultimately, align investments with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

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Are DeFi Tokens Worth the Hype?

The hype surrounding DeFi tokens is justified by their transformative potential. Hyperliquid’s consistent rise in perpetual trading and DEXs commands more than $1 billion in daily trading volume, which highlights DeFi’s ability to rival centralised platforms.

Additionally, tokens like Stellar and Polkadot address real-world challenges, such as cross-border payments and interoperability, increasing their practical value.

Nevertheless, scepticism is justified. Chainlink’s increasing centralisation raises concerns about its long-term viability. Thus, while DeFi tokens drive innovation, their worth hinges on sustained technological advancements and market stability.

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Are DeFi Tokens a Good Investment?

DeFi tokens offer substantial investment potential but require careful consideration. Hyperliquid’s rapid rise signals strong interest.

Furthermore, Grayscale’s inclusion of HYPE in its top 20 tokens for Q1 2025 underscores their growth prospects.

However, risks abound. Stellar and Polkadot face high volatility. To maximise returns, focus on tokens with proven track records, like Uniswap, or emerging leaders with unique offerings. Regularly monitor market trends, as Bitcoin’s $111k surge influences altcoin performance.

A balanced portfolio, coupled with diligent research, positions DeFi tokens as a promising yet dynamic investment in 2025.

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Conclusion: Should you invest in DeFi Tokens? 

The top 5 DeFi tokens, which are Hyperliquid, Chainlink, Stellar, Polkadot, and Uniswap, represent a dynamic blend of innovation and market strength.

As DeFi reshapes finance, these tokens offer diverse opportunities, from high-throughput trading to stablecoin innovation.

However, their volatility demands strategic investing. By staying informed and diversifying, investors can capitalise on DeFi’s potential while navigating its risks in 2025’s bullish market.

We always recommend investing in cryptocurrencies with a focus on the long term. This is because you have a greater chance of seeing gains in a 2-, 3-, or 5-year period.

While the market is highly volatile, having time for an asset to stabilise and command a greater price backed by real innovation is better than trying to time the market with an asset for short-term gains which may go bust within months.