DeFi total value locked rose 38% to $95 billion in Q3 2026, its first quarterly gain after three quarters of declines from its 2025 peak. Growth continued in each month of the quarter, with TVL up 7%, 15% and 11% in sequence.
Why it matters
The three-month run of gains marks a reversal in the sector-wide TVL trend, rather than a single-quarter rise. The recovery is also showing up across newer ecosystems: Monad's TVL grew 183%, while Robinhood Chain, live since July, crossed $1 billion.
Market impact
Monad's expansion puts it among the leading chains by TVL, and Robinhood Chain has passed the $1 billion mark within months of launch. TVL measures the value of assets deposited in DeFi protocols; the figures indicate renewed growth in deployed capital, but do not by themselves establish whether the trend will continue.
Source: [source](http://telegraph.controller.bot/files/8336652911/AgACAgIAAxkBAAJSn2q7tokt_Qi6HldW-Yyj2bMN1w5KAAJ8HmsbRdXYSZsKvfHzqO3cAQADAgADeQADPQQ?sig=b-BDPddmNj5ud3a23kTPrqH9WXO0HFa3qL0ntCMLVHs)
Frequently asked questions
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How much did DeFi TVL rise in Q3 2026?
DeFi TVL rose 38% to $95 billion, its first quarterly gain after three quarters of declines from its 2025 peak.
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Did DeFi TVL grow throughout the whole quarter?
Yes. TVL increased in each of Q3's three months, rising 7%, 15% and 11% in sequence.
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How fast did Monad's TVL grow in Q3?
Monad's TVL grew 183%, bringing it into the top chains by TVL.
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How much TVL has Robinhood Chain reached?
Robinhood Chain crossed $1 billion in TVL after going live in July.
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What does TVL measure, and what does a rise indicate?
TVL measures the value of assets deposited in DeFi protocols. A rise indicates growth in deployed capital, but does not by itself show whether the trend will continue.
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