This article discusses the current state of decentralized finance (DeFi), highlighting a significant drop in total value locked (TVL) and its implications. It also touches on issues of counterparty risk stemming from centralization, particularly in the context of FTX, and emphasizes the importance of due diligence in venture investing.

Ethereum's price has reached an all-time high of $4,946, driven by institutional investments, yet its total value locked (TVL) in DeFi remains significantly lower than past records, currently at $91 billion. The decline in retail DeFi activity, coupled with increased competition from other chains and more efficient liquidity protocols, has contributed to this disparity, indicating a shift in the market dynamics compared to previous cycles.