Ethereum and Solana set the stage for 2026’s DeFi reboot

TL;DR:

Ethereum saw a surge in institutional adoption and progress on scaling in 2025, while Solana was stress-testing the network and hardening its infrastructure.

Key Points:

Background:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) refers to financial services built on blockchain networks that operate without traditional intermediaries like banks. DeFi protocols enable lending, borrowing, trading, and earning yield on cryptocurrency assets through smart contracts.

Why It Matters:

DeFi represents a fundamental reimagining of the financial system, offering permissionless access to financial services globally. DeFi developments impact how value is exchanged, stored, and utilized in the crypto ecosystem, driving innovation in financial products and services.