[Weekly DeFi] Unichain Surges 307% Amid Diverging DeFi Market Trends

# Diverging Trends Shape the DeFi Market: Transaction Volatility and TVL Growth The decentralized finance (DeFi) market is currently experiencing two distinct trends. Certain chains are seeing significant surges in short-term trading volumes, while others are marking steady increases in total value locked (TVL), driven by sustained long-term capital inflows. # Unichain and Sui Make Waves in the DEX Arena Unichain and Sui have emerged as standout players in the decentralized exchange (DEX) market, according to DeFiLlama data from April 18–25. Unichain, an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution launched by Uniswap Labs and optimized for DeFi services, recorded a staggering 307% week-over-week increase in trading volume, reaching $1.339 billion. This spike catapulted Unichain to the 7th position in the DEX market rankings. Sui also demonstrated impressive growth, with its weekly trading volume climbing 35.01% to $2.942 billion, capturing a 6.07% market share and securing a strong position among the top chains. Sui’s growth isn’t limited to trading volume; its TVL has also been on the rise, signaling robust technical development and a growing user base. # Solana Maintains Market Leadership; Ethereum Loses Steam Solana(SOL) retained its dominance in the DEX market, recording $16.558 billion in weekly trading volume and a commanding 29.28% market share. Although its volume increased by only 2.48% from the prior week, the chain’s dynamic community and consistent activity levels underpin its sustained market leadership. In contrast, Ethereum(ETH) struggled as its trading volume dropped by 14.39% to $10.584 billion, resulting in a market share reduction to 16.77%. Despite Ethereum’s advanced technology and expansive ecosystem, the decline in short-term trading activity suggests cooling momentum. # TVL Growth Concentrates on Base and Sui Regarding long-term capital flows, TVL data highlighted Base and Sui as top performers. Base, a Coinbase-backed ecosystem, led the week with a 23.33% increase in TVL to $3.564 billion, thanks to organic ecosystem expansion and sustained investor confidence. Sui followed closely with a 37.96% surge in TVL, reaching $1.731 billion, marking the second-highest growth rate for the week. The combination of escalating transaction volumes and surging TVL has positioned Sui as a pivotal focal point for DeFi investors. Meanwhile, Solana recorded a 9.99% increase, pushing its TVL to $9.561 billion and attaining double-digit growth. Ethereum retained the top position in absolute TVL terms, reaching $54.89 billion, although its 9.54% week-over-week increase lagged behind some of its peers. # Key Takeaways: A Fragmented DeFi Market The overarching theme for the DeFi market this week was "divergence." While certain chains attracted short-term speculative trading, others showcased stable TVL growth driven by long-term capital inflows. Chains such as Solana, Sui, and Base are strengthening their presence in both trading activity and TVL expansion. Consequently, they are well-positioned to act as critical pivot points for a potential market rebound. The future trajectory of DeFi may be shaped by these dynamic shifts, signaling opportunities for both short-term traders and long-term investors.