Aave and Uniswap Break Records as ETH Surges Past $2,500. Is DeFi Back?

Aave and Uniswap protocols recently created new records amid signs of a recovery in the cryptocurrency market.

Record-breaking achievements by Aave and Uniswap amid a recovering crypto market raise the question: Are we witnessing the start of a new DeFi boom, or is this just a short-term surge?

Whale Activity Signals Confidence in Aave

With Ethereum (ETH) surpassing $2,500, a key milestone in a volatile crypto market, whale activity on Aave and milestones from Uniswap paint a picture of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.

A wallet linked to WLFI recently deposited 50 WBTC into Aave V3 and borrowed 400 million USDC to purchase 1,590 WETH at an average price of $2,515. This wallet now holds assets worth $15.11 million, including 3,924 WETH ($9.91 million) and 50 WBTC ($5.19 million). It has a healthy position on Aave (Health Rate of 2.0), reflecting confidence in ETH’s upside potential.

On the same day, a whale named nemorino.eth bought 3,088 WETH at an average price of $2,488, securing an unrealized profit of approximately $124,000. This reinforces bullish sentiment around ETH as large investors accumulate near the $2,500 level. However, not all whales are optimistic. 

On May 12, 2025, EmberCN reported that a whale borrowed 5,000 ETH from Aave in 50 minutes and shorted it at $2,491, highlighting divergent investment strategies.

Is DeFi Poised for a Boom?

The surge in whale activity on Aave aligns with remarkable DeFi milestones. Aave’s founder, Stani Kulechov, announced on May 11, 2025, that Aave reached a record Total Value Locked (TVL) of $25 billion, making it one of the largest DeFi protocols. 

Aave TVL. Source: Stani Kulechov

According to DeFiLlama data from May 14, 2025, Aave accounts for over 21% of the DeFi market’s TVL, surpassing competitors like Lido (LDO) and EigenLayer (EIGEN). This growth is largely driven by large investors depositing substantial assets into the protocol.

Aave TVL ranking. Source: DefilLama

Meanwhile, Uniswap, a leading decentralized exchange (DEX), achieved a historic milestone. On May 12, 2025, Uniswap reported that its all-time trading volume surpassed $3 trillion, showing DeFi’s appeal. 

DefilLama data from May 14, 2025, shows that Uniswap processes over $3.6 billion in transactions in 24 hours, capturing 24% of global DEX trading volume and solidifying its dominance.

Uniswap Volume. Source: DefilLama

These milestones from Aave and Uniswap reflect DeFi’s growth and a shift of capital from traditional finance to decentralized protocols. 

Implications of Whale Movements and DeFi Growth

These developments carry significant implications for ETH and the DeFi ecosystem. Active whale participation on Aave signals a strong belief in ETH, particularly as its price exceeds $2,500. This optimism supports the broader DeFi narrative.

Aave’s $25 billion TVL highlights its role in providing liquidity and supporting complex investment strategies. Similarly, Uniswap’s $3 trillion trading volume shows the popularity of DEXs, enabling direct, intermediary-free trading that reduces costs and enhances transparency.

The DeFi boom could propel ETH’s long-term growth. The price surpassing $2,500, coupled with whale activity, indicates DeFi is becoming a cornerstone of Ethereum’s ecosystem.

The rise of Aave and Uniswap, fueled by record TVL and trading volumes, alongside significant whale activity, suggests DeFi is entering a new growth phase. While short-term market fluctuations remain possible, these protocols’ increasing institutional interest and strong fundamentals point to a sustained DeFi boom, with Ethereum at its core. However, investors should monitor market movement and whale strategies, as divergent approaches signal potential volatility.