TLDR:DeFi TVL concentrated in lending and staking protocols versus diversified DEXs and yield platforms in 2021.Aave and Lido Finance lead TVL growth through capital efficiency mechanics and yield layering strategies.Overcollateralization and leverage loops mechanically inflate lending protocol TVL beyond actual capital.Restaking monetizes staked assets for additional yield without requiring capital reallocation or movement.DeFi TVL shifts toward lending, liquid staking and restaking protocols mark a defining change in capital allocation. The decentralized finance sector has witnessed concentrated growth in these three categories since 2021. Infrastructure protocols now capture the majority of locked value compared to earlier years. This transformation reflects the maturation of blockchain-based financial services and evolving user preferences.Infrastructure Protocols Capture Dominant Market ShareThe distribution of total value locked has consolidated around specific protocol types. Lending platforms have emerged as primary destinations for capital deployment across blockchain networks. Liquid staking services enable users to maintain asset liquidity while earning validator rewards. Restaking protocols add another yield layer on already-staked positions.Analysis from CryptoRank.io demonstrates how dramatically the landscape has changed. Protocols like Aave dominate the lending category with substantial TVL growth. Lido Finance leads the liquid staking sector as validators seek flexible options. Restaking platforms have rapidly gained traction by offering additional returns on existing commitments.DeFi TVL Has Shifted From Activity to Balance-Sheet InfrastructureThe comparison highlights a structural shift in where DeFi TVL concentrates. In 2021, top protocols were diversified across DEXs, CDPs, and yield aggregators. By 2025, TVL is overwhelmingly concentrated in… pic.twitter.com/62dXRuZA1u— CryptoRank.io (@CryptoRank_io) December 28, 2025The 2021 environment showed more balanced distribution across decentralized exchanges and yield aggregators. Those activity-driven primitives required frequent user transactions to generate value. By contrast, current infrastructure allows capital to remain deployed without constant management. This shift indicates preference for passive earning strategies over active trading approaches.Capital Mechanics Drive TVL ExpansionLending protocols incorporate structural features that naturally expand measured TVL beyond actual capital inflows. Overcollateralization mandates mean borrowers lock assets worth more than their loan values. These requirements create baseline TVL that exceeds circulating borrowed amounts significantly. Reusable collateral permits the same assets to support multiple financial positions simultaneously.Leverage loops represent another mechanism inflating lending protocol metrics. Users can borrow against deposited collateral and redeposit those borrowed funds. This recursive process multiplies the recorded value without introducing new capital. The practice remains common among users seeking to maximize capital efficiency.Restaking extends these concepts to proof-of-stake networks. Users commit staked assets to secure additional protocols beyond the base layer. This arrangement generates extra yield from assets already earning staking rewards. The capital serves dual purposes while remaining technically locked in a single position. Liquid staking tokens facilitate this process by providing tradable representations of staked assets. Together, these infrastructure categories now define where the majority of DeFi capital concentrates. The trend toward balance-sheet protocols continues as users prioritize reliable yields over speculative trading. Market participants increasingly favor infrastructure that supports long-term capital deployment strategies. The post DeFi TVL Shifts Toward Lending, Liquid Staking and Restaking Infrastructure appeared first on Blockonomi.