Standard Chartered: DeFi market to grow to $2.7 trillion by 2030 — tokenization and RWA as key drivers
The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector is on the verge of massive growth. According to my analysis, based on the latest market data, the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols could reach $2.7 trillion by the end of 2030. This implies an almost 37-fold increase from current levels.
The key catalysts for this explosive growth will be two areas: tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) and the development of on-chain infrastructure. Currently, only about 3% of the total stablecoin supply and approximately 10% of the RWA volume are utilized in DeFi. By 2030, I estimate that the share of these assets used in protocols could grow to 30%.
Achieving the target of $2.7 trillion will require a ninefold increase in the share of tokenized value involved in the DeFi ecosystem. However, there are significant obstacles along the way. For example, issuing the same asset on multiple blockchains leads to liquidity fragmentation and higher operational costs. Moreover, tokenization itself is not a "magic wand"—it does not automatically turn illiquid assets into liquid ones without deep market infrastructure.
The role of Uniswap deserves special attention. This platform could become a central hub for RWA trading. Institutional players are likely to prefer Uniswap precisely because of its impeccable reputation and high level of security. Partnerships with traditional financial institutions could significantly narrow the market capitalization gap between Uniswap and giants like Coinbase.
My expert opinion: The forecast looks ambitious but realistic, provided that issues with liquidity and the regulatory framework are resolved. The main risk is precisely fragmentation, which could slow the pace of adoption. If the industry can unify standards, DeFi could truly become the foundation of a new financial system.