If you're deep into the world of meme tokens, keeping an eye on DeFi (that's Decentralized Finance, for the uninitiated—think lending, borrowing, and trading without banks) metrics can give you a real edge. Recently, Lookonchain dropped their weekly report for October 13-19, 2025, packed with insights on Total Value Locked (TVL) in top chains, protocol revenues, DEX volumes, and stablecoin flows. As someone who's been tracking crypto trends, I see this as a goldmine for understanding where meme token action might heat up next. Let's break it down step by step.
Top 10 Chains by DeFi TVL
TVL is basically the total amount of crypto assets locked in DeFi protocols on a chain—it's a key indicator of activity and liquidity. Higher TVL often means more opportunities for meme token launches and trades, especially on chains like Solana and Base, which are meme hotspots.
According to the report, Ethereum still leads with a whopping $86.40B, though it's down 2.45% week-over-week. Solana follows closely at $11.30B with a slight 0.14% uptick, showing stability that's great for its vibrant meme community. BSC (Binance Smart Chain) is third at $8.43B but saw a sharper 7.43% drop. Notably, Hyperliquid L1 jumped 6.10% to $2.19B, hinting at growing interest that could spill over to niche meme plays.
Here's the full rundown in table form for quick reference:
Chain | DeFi TVL | WoW Change |
---|---|---|
Ethereum | $86.40B | -2.45% |
Solana | $11.30B | 0.14% |
BSC | $8.43B | -7.43% |
Bitcoin | $8.16B | -3.68% |
Tron | $5.94B | -1.13% |
Plasma | $5.20B | -2.83% |
Base | $5.07B | 0.47% |
Arbitrum | $3.94B | 0.89% |
Hyperliquid L1 | $2.19B | 6.10% |
Sui | $2.03B | -0.57% |
For meme enthusiasts, Solana's resilience stands out—it's home to hits like Dogwifhat and Bonk, and steady TVL means more liquidity for pumps and dumps. Base, with its 0.47% growth, is another one to watch for Ethereum-layer memes.
Top Protocols by Weekly Revenue
Revenue here refers to fees generated by protocols, which can signal user activity. Tether tops the list at $161.35M (up 1.63%), followed by Uniswap at $72.90M (down 6.19%). Meteora, a Solana-based DEX, climbed 18.52% to $23.60M, which could boost meme trading volumes there.
On the growth side, Hyperbeat Earn exploded 953% to $6.15M, and Superchain surged 648% to $3.59M. These spikes might indicate emerging platforms where new meme tokens could thrive.
If you're building or trading memes, protocols like Uniswap and Meteora are staples—higher revenues often correlate with more on-chain buzz.
DEX Spot and Perps Volumes
Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) are where most meme token action happens. Spot volume (regular trading) hit $146.42B, down 21.73%, with Uniswap leading at $44.84B. PancakeSwap and HumidiFi follow.
For perpetuals (perps, which are futures without expiration), volume reached $302.86B, down 11.25%. Aster topped with $76.66B (up 42.02%), while Hyperliquid dropped 33.76%.
Meme tokens often spike on DEXs like these—Solana's Raydium (not listed but implied in ecosystem) or Base's Aerodrome could benefit from overall trends. The perps growth on Aster suggests leveraged meme plays are heating up.
Stablecoin Flows Across Chains
Stablecoins like USDT and USDC are the lifeblood of DeFi and meme trading, providing liquidity without volatility. The chart shows Ethereum gaining $4.89B, while Solana lost $1.93B. BSC and Plasma saw inflows of $496M and $289M, respectively.
Outflows from Solana might pressure short-term meme liquidity, but inflows to Ethereum could stabilize blue-chip meme projects. Keep an eye on chains with positive flows for potential meme launches.
Implications for Meme Token Traders and Creators
This report paints a picture of a maturing DeFi landscape in 2025, with Ethereum and Solana dominating but newer chains like Hyperliquid gaining ground. For meme tokens, which thrive on hype and liquidity, stable or growing TVL on meme-friendly chains is key. Solana's slight gain suggests it's still the go-to for fast, cheap meme deploys, while Base's uptick could mean more Coinbase-integrated fun.
If you're a blockchain practitioner, use these insights to scout protocols with revenue growth—they often host the next viral meme. Remember, TVL and volumes fluctuate, so always DYOR (Do Your Own Research) before diving in.
Stay tuned to Meme Insider for more breakdowns on how DeFi trends shape the meme token world. What's your take on Plasma's dip or Hyperliquid's rise? Drop a comment below!