On-Chain Credit Surges as DeFi Overtakes CeFi in Crypto Lending Market

Source: ETHNews Original Title: On-Chain Credit Surges as DeFi Overtakes CeFi in Crypto Lending Market Original Link: The crypto leverage landscape is undergoing a structural shift, and the latest data from Sentora (formerly IntoTheBlock) highlights a milestone moment: on-chain credit has officially become the dominant form of crypto lending. Liquid staking tokens (LSTs), real-world-asset-backed tokens (RWAs), and principal tokens like Pendle PTs are now among the most commonly used collateral types, a stark reversal from the CeFi-heavy market of recent years.

A Rapid Power Shift From CeFi to DeFi

According to recent market data, the industry has made a dramatic pivot over the past year.

During Q4 2024, the crypto credit landscape was still dominated by centralized lenders, reflected in a peak lending figure of roughly $88 billion from CeFi providers.

But throughout 2025, this balance shifted aggressively:

• Q1 2025: DeFi lending jumped to $78B, closing the gap with CeFi from the previous quarter.
• Q2 2025: DeFi credit climbed further to $90B, marking the first period where it surpassed most legacy centralized lending structures.
• Q3 2025: The trend solidified, with $73.6B in total outstanding debt, ~67% came from DeFi, making it the clear leader in the market.

This is the strongest evidence yet that crypto leverage is moving fully on-chain.

Why On-Chain Credit Is Taking Over

Three major factors explain why DeFi lending has replaced CeFi as the new default:

1. LSTs Have Become Prime Collateral

Tokens like stETH, cbETH, and other liquid staking derivatives provide yield while being used as collateral – something CeFi platforms cannot match.

2. RWAs Are Bringing Institutional Stability

Tokenized treasury products and RWA vaults have injected reliable, low-volatility collateral into DeFi protocols, enabling safer leverage.

3. Pendle Principal Tokens (PTs) Are Now Widely Adopted

PTs allow users to lock in fixed yields and borrow against future yield streams, creating a more flexible credit market that traditional firms cannot replicate.

Together, these innovations have pushed DeFi lending to record highs, even amid a volatile macro environment.

What This Means for the Broader Crypto Market

The shift toward DeFi-dominated credit reflects the market’s growing preference for transparency and automation.

After the collapses of major CeFi lenders in previous cycles like Celsius, Voyager, and BlockFi, investors appear increasingly unwilling to rely on opaque, centralized balance sheets.

On-chain credit, by contrast, offers:

• real-time transparency
• automated liquidations
• provable collateral backing
• reduced counterparty risk

As a result, DeFi lending has transformed from a niche sector into the backbone of crypto leverage.

Looking Ahead

If current trends continue, DeFi lending may soon surpass all-time highs and become the primary venue not just for retail, but for institutional leverage in crypto.

With LSTs, RWAs, and principal tokens becoming standard collateral types, the on-chain credit market is positioned for even more rapid growth.

The message from the latest market data is unmistakable: Crypto credit has gone on-chain, and it’s not going back.