The DeFi market could soar to $2.7 trillion: Standard Chartered analysts have identified key drivers
The total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols could reach $2.7 trillion by the end of 2030. This forecast was presented by the head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered bank. This represents a 37-fold increase compared to current levels, making it one of the most ambitious scenarios among institutional players.
Growth Drivers: RWA and On-Chain Protocols
The main catalysts for this explosive growth will be two areas: tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) and the development of on-chain protocols. Currently, according to expert estimates, only about 3% of the total stablecoin supply and 10% of RWAs are used in DeFi. However, by the end of the decade, the share of assets utilized in protocols could grow to 30%. This means that capital currently on the periphery will begin to actively migrate into decentralized ecosystems.
Scaling Challenges: Liquidity and Fragmentation
Achieving $2.7 trillion will require a ninefold increase in the share of tokenized value in DeFi. However, the path to this will not be smooth. Axis CEO Chris Kim warned of risks: issuing the same asset on different blockchains leads to fragmented liquidity and increased operational costs. Ondo Finance's Head of Sales Oya Celiktemur, in turn, emphasized that tokenization itself is not a magic solution—it does not turn illiquid assets into liquid ones without additional mechanisms.
Uniswap as a Hub for Institutional RWA Trading
Uniswap's role deserves special attention. Standard Chartered highlighted this protocol as a potential platform for RWA trading. According to analysts, institutional investors will choose Uniswap due to its reputation and high level of security. Partnerships with traditional finance could help Uniswap narrow the market capitalization gap with centralized giants like Coinbase.
My comment: Standard Chartered's forecast looks realistic, but only if the liquidity fragmentation problem is solved. Without standardization and interoperability between blockchains, DeFi risks remaining a niche market despite the influx of RWAs. Institutions will not tolerate high costs and fragmentation—this will be the sector's main test in the coming years.