Top 7 DeFi Coins & Tokens to Keep An Eye On in 2025

They say cryptocurrencies are the future of money, but we can already see certain signs of this through decentralized finance (DeFi) in the present. DeFi comprises financial services using blockchain technology, giving users complete security, access and control over their money.

As fintech rules the conventional world, DeFi uses its decentralized platforms and features to create financial technology built on the blockchain. As a result, DeFi tokens are sought after by investors looking to access financial opportunities on the blockchain.

This article highlights the top DeFi coins to consider in 2025.

What is Decentralized Finance (DeFi)?

Decentralized finance is the arm of blockchain that creates financial opportunities that people can invest in. Most crypto investors make money from the active trading of digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Solana (SOL) and Ether (ETH). However, DeFi creates an avenue for them to find other investment opportunities.

These include staking, yield farming, DeFi lending and borrowing, and decentralized insurance. Many investors use these features as passive income channels since they don’t require them to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

What are DeFi Tokens?

DeFi tokens power decentralized finance ecosystems. They are cryptocurrencies associated with decentralized applications (dApps), and they run on blockchains using smart contracts.

The goal of DeFi tokens is to give users access to blockchain financial products without middlemen or third parties. In other words, they want to eliminate banks, exchanges, and other financial systems associated with centralized finance (CeFi).

Besides making DeFi platforms accessible to holders, these coins can also be traded on crypto exchanges. So, active traders can buy and sell them for potential profits, and investors can hold them for potential price increases.

The Best 7 DeFi Tokens to Invest in Right Now

Here are the top 7 DeFi coins with impressive performances so far in 2025:

Hedera (HBAR)

Utilizing a proof-of-stake blockchain framework, Hedera brings to the fore security and efficiency, enhancing the process of tokenization. It also offers high-speed, scalability and low-cost transactions, transforming NFT minting and smart contracts.

Hedera is arguably the largest DeFi project right now, and it keeps forming strategic partnerships with the likes of Swift, Intel, SpaceX, etc., to foster advanced blockchain initiatives and increased institutional interest.

HBAR is Hedera’s native cryptocurrency and is valued at around $0.23, with a market cap of $9.71 billion and a trading volume of $846.38 million.

Avalanche (AVAX)

The Avalanche blockchain allows users to trade and invest in crypto. A fast platform, it enables low-cost transactions, ideal for scalable transactions such as building and launching dApps, financial products, and digital assets for developers.

AVAX is the network’s utility token used in multiple real-world cases, such as global transactions. As of the time of writing, the DeFi cryptocurrency is valued at around $20.15, with a market cap of $8.34 billion and a trading volume of $726.74 million.

Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink is another project that supports DeFi protocols to help them connect with and support diverse cryptocurrencies. It is integrated with about 12 projects across 9 blockchains and has formed collaborations with the likes of Compound Finance and Etherisc.

Chainlink enhances blockchain functionality with multiple services like Automation, CCIP, and Data Feeds to optimize on-chain processes. You can also describe Chainlink as an Oracle solution that eliminates manual communication and secures its ecosystem through off-chain data exchange.

LINK is the platform’s native cryptocurrency, valued at $13.77, with a market cap of $8.79 billion and a trading volume of $801.58 million.

Zypto (ZYPTO TOKEN)

Zypto Token is the utility coin of the Zypto DeFi App and ecosystem, including crypto card services and a popular crypto payment gateway for businesses. Zypto Token is built on the Ethereum blockchain, and its DeFi features are connected to the platform’s DeFi app that allows users to access various opportunities, including multi-chain, cross-chain asset transfer.

One way Zypto Token stands out from other DeFi coins is its revenue-sharing model that rewards investors with a percentage of the Zypto platform’s transaction fees, in return for community-driven marketing. Holders can add their tokens held in any DeFi Wallet to the Zyptopia section of the Zypto App and collect daily rewards.

The Zypto Token is currently trading at around $0.0059, with a market cap of $5.33M and a trading volume of $87.16K. Considering the ROI Zypto Token offers, this is viewed as a low price.

Uniswap (UNI)

Uniswap needs no introduction among experienced traders. It was one of the earliest DeFi applications that allowed users to trade various assets on its platform., such as NFTs and cryptocurrencies on the Uniswap decentralized exchange (DEX).

Besides having the largest DEX with various DeFi opportunities, the UNI token also provides holders with passive income through staking. Uniswap partners with financial institutions like Robinhood and MoonPay, amongst others for seamless crypto-fiat transactions in over 180 countries.

Furthermore, its new updates significantly enhance DeFi trading by increasing speed, boosting efficiency, and facilitating more cross-chain capabilities. UNI, Uniswap’s native token is currently trading at around $6.75, with a market cap of $4.05 billion and a trading volume of $256.26 million.

Mantra (OM)

A Layer-1 platform, Mantra is focused on high-speed, scalable and regulatory-compliant real-world asset tokenization. It also enhances staking services, providing an accessible and efficient investment experience.

Mantra is a multifaceted blockchain project that fosters innovation in DeFi by partnering with Google Cloud to offer funding and mentorship. It also partners with others like Cointelegraph, NTT and Paysafe for wider community engagement.

Its native token, OM, is available for trading on exchanges for about $6.81 per token, with a market cap of $6.63 billion and a trading volume of $146.54 million.

Dai (DAI)

Dai is a stablecoin built on the Ethereum blockchain which uses smart contracts designed to keep its value as close to $1 as possible. Backed by MakerDAO, Dai is integrated by over 400 apps, DeFi platforms and services.

DAI is available for trading on exchanges for about $0.99 per token, with a market cap of $5.36 billion and a trading volume of $191.27 million.

Aave (AAVE)

Now to the final DeFi coin on our list of the best DeFi tokens to watch in 2025 – Aave. Aave boasts massive DeFi protocols across Ethereum and over 12 other blockchains. The decentralized finance protocol allows people to borrow and lend crypto. Lenders get rewarded for maintaining liquidity and securing the platform with smart contracts.

Like other projects in this article, Aave also has its native token, AAVE which can be used as collateral for discounted loans and transaction fees. It is available for trading on exchanges for about $174.51 per token, with a market cap of $2.63 billion and a trading volume of $341.81 million.

Conclusion

DeFi coins and tokens create a different investment niche for crypto enthusiasts. They help users harness the blockchain financial world to access DeFi staking, loans, and applications. With the DeFi space still at the infancy stage, we’ve highlighted top DeFi cryptocurrencies that have experienced decent success in 2025.

Store and Manage Your DeFi Coins With the Zypto DeFi Wallet

While investing in DeFi tokens is great, it’s imperative to secure your assets with the secure Zypto DeFi Wallet and all in one crypto app. With support for the best DeFi assets and the ability to fast multi-chain swap, you can easily secure, trade, send, and receive over 24,000 coins and tokens in one place.

Not only that, you can earn great rewards in the Zypto Rewards Hub by referring your friends, and interacting with the Zypto ecosystem. Zypto App also makes it possible to spend your crypto with a full range of virtual and physical crypto cards, and to pay every-day bills with crypto, all in-app. If you haven’t already, try Zypto App today and see for yourself.

Which DeFi tokens are going to experience massive price uptrends before the end of the year? Let’s have your top picks in the comment section below.

FAQs

Which DeFi Coin is the best to invest in right now?

We’ve reviewed the top DeFi coins by market cap in this article. They are also among the best-performing DeFi tokens to invest in. Based on that information, Hedera (HBAR) seems like the most prominent token right now.

Are DeFi tokens safe?

The DeFi space can be unsafe due to the presence of scammers who leverage its decentralization. As such, you should do due diligence and invest in only proven projects.