DeFi Hacked: Experts Predict $2 Trillion Market Cap Despite Security Flaws

A recent exploit on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms has left investors shaken, but experts are optimistic about the long-term prospects of the industry.

The hack, which saw $292 million stolen from KelpDAO, spilled over into other DeFi platforms, including AAVE, the largest DeFi lender. The attack exposed systemic risks and triggered a sharp liquidity crunch, with deposits falling by 38% and active loans decreasing by 31%

Despite the setback, Standard Chartered predicts that tokenized real-world assets will reach a $2 trillion market cap by end-2028, driven by continued growth in DeFi lending and stablecoin liquidity.