Shifts in Blockchain TVL: Exploring the Changing Landscape of Total Value Locked
Changes in total value locked (TVL) among blockchain platforms in 2023 reveal new contenders and fluctuating rankings.
The year 2023 witnessed significant shifts in the rankings of blockchain platforms, as total value locked (TVL) underwent dynamic changes. While some networks maintained their positions, others emerged as strong contenders, showcasing their popularity and development recognition. Additionally, certain cryptocurrencies experienced notable price fluctuations, with TVL dynamics and market trends playing a role in their performance. This article delves into the evolving landscape of blockchain TVL, highlights standout platforms, and explores the relationship between TVL and cryptocurrency prices.
Shifting Positions Throughout 2023:
Coin98 Analytics reports that Tron emerged as the blockchain platform with the highest TVL at the end of 2023, surpassing $8 billion. BNB Chain and Arbitrum secured the second and third positions, with TVL figures of $3.5 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. Notably, Ethereum’s TVL reached nearly $30 billion, but it is excluded from this analysis.
The top three platforms maintained their positions throughout the year, but there were initial variations. BNB Chain held the top spot at the beginning, while Tron followed closely behind. However, as the year progressed, new blockchain networks entered the scene, reshaping the rankings.
Solana, which started the year with a TVL of $210 million, experienced a remarkable ascent. Despite initially being at the bottom, Solana secured the fourth position with a TVL of $1.4 billion by the end of 2023. This growth can be attributed to its increasing popularity and development recognition.
Other notable additions to the top 10 include Coinbase’s layer-2 solution, Base, which gradually increased its TVL throughout the year, reaching nearly $440 million. Blast, an upcoming L2 blockchain, made waves in the industry during the final quarter, positioning itself in fifth place with a TVL exceeding $1 billion. However, Blast faced a phishing attack in November, resulting in a victim losing over $130,000. The mainnet launch for Blast is scheduled for February this year.
Optimism, Avalanche, Polygon, and Cardano complete the top 10 list. Cardano, in particular, started the year with less than $50 million in TVL but crossed the finish line at over $400 million.
Cryptocurrency Value Fluctuations:
The year 2023 also witnessed notable price increases for certain cryptocurrencies, such as Solana’s SOL and Cardano’s ADA. SOL surged from less than $10 to almost $125 by Christmas, while ADA experienced a 150% surge to above $0.60. While the rising TVL may have contributed to these spikes, the relationship between TVL and price is not always directly proportional.
Total value locked represents the amount of crypto assets deposited in a specific DeFi protocol and can be considered a sign of trust and stability in the network. However, rising TVL can also be a result of a bull market, where the value of locked assets increases alongside rising prices, without new funds entering the ecosystem.
Solana and Cardano in the Spotlight:
Solana and Cardano garnered attention in the industry for their achievements towards the end of 2023. Solana surpassed Ethereum in Google searches, gaining popularity in countries like Spain and the Philippines. Additionally, Solana’s NFT sales volume exceeded Ethereum’s, reaching $75 million weekly compared to Ethereum’s $72 million. On-chain trading volume also peaked for Solana, surpassing $2.6 billion on December 22, while Ethereum recorded $1.6 billion on the same day.
Cardano, on the other hand, emerged as the top network in terms of development activity in the last 30 days of December. This recognition positioned Cardano alongside Polkadot, Kusama, and Avalanche as leading platforms in terms of development.
Conclusion:
The year 2023 witnessed significant shifts in the rankings of blockchain platforms, with Tron, BNB Chain, and Arbitrum leading the pack in terms of TVL. However, emerging networks like Solana and Blast made their mark, showcasing their potential and gaining popularity. The relationship between TVL and cryptocurrency prices remains complex, with rising TVL potentially influenced by both trust and stability factors, as well as market trends. Solana and Cardano’s achievements towards the end of 2023 further solidified their positions as noteworthy platforms to watch in the coming year. As the blockchain landscape continues to evolve, these shifts in TVL and cryptocurrency prices provide insights into the dynamic nature of the industry.