Economic uncertainty and a major crypto exchange hack pushed down the total value locked in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to $156 billion in the first quarter of 2025, but AI and social apps gained ground with a rise in network users, according to a crypto analytics firm.

“Broader economic uncertainty and lingering aftershocks from the Bybit exploit” were the main contributing factors to the DeFi sector’s 27% quarter-on-quarter fall in TVL, according to an April 3 report from DappRadar, which noted that Ether (ETH) fell 45% to $1,820 over the same period.

The largest blockchain by TVL, Ethereum, fell 37% to $96 billion, while Sui was the hardest hit of the top 10 blockchains by TVL, falling 44% to $2 billion.

Solana, Tron and the Arbitrum blockchains also had their TVLs slashed over 30%.

Meanwhile, blockchains that experienced a larger volume of DeFi withdrawals and had a smaller share of stablecoins locked in their protocols faced extra pressure on top of the falling token prices.

The newly launched Berachain was the only top-10 blockchain by TVL to rise, accumulating $5.17 billion between Feb. 6 and March 31, DappRadar noted.

Market fall didn’t stunt AI and social app user growth

However, the number of daily unique active wallets (DUAW) interacting with AI protocols and social apps increased 29% and 10%, respectively, in Q1, while non-fungible token and GameFi protocols regressed, DappRadar’s data shows.

The monthly average of DUAWs interacting on the AI and social protocols rose to 2.6 million and 2.8 million, while DeFi and GameFi protocols fell double-digits. 

DappRadar said there was “explosive growth” in AI agent protocols, stating that they’re “no longer a concept.”

“They’re here, and they’re shaping new user behaviors,” said the firm. 

Related: Avalanche stablecoins up 70% to $2.5B, AVAX demand lacks DeFi deployment

Meanwhile, NFT trading volume fell 25% to $1.5 billion, with OKX’s NFT marketplace taking in the most sales at $606 million, while OpenSea and Blur saw $599 million and $565 million, respectively.

Pudgy Penguins NFTs were the most sold collectibles at $177 million, while CryptoPunks NFTs netted $63.6 million from just 477 sales, DappRadar noted.

“When analyzing top collections, CryptoPunks remains a staple — its prestige remains intact even as price fluctuations make it largely inaccessible for the average user.”

Magazine: XRP win leaves Ripple a ‘bad actor’ with no crypto legal precedent set

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Learn MoreDeFi TVL falls 27% while AI, social apps surge in Q1: DappRadar

Bitcoin’s network activity is climbing to new heights, even as its price struggles to maintain upward momentum. The blockchain’s hashrate, an indicator of the total computing power dedicated to mining, has now hit a historic milestone of 972 exahashes per second (EH/s), according to data from Cloverpool. The surge in hashrate signals a growing commitment […]

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Learn MoreBitcoin hashrate hits record 972 EH/s as US miners capture 30% of market

The number of Bitcoin-native startups receiving venture capital investment increased in 2024 despite a decline in the total capital allocated to the sector, according to a new report published by Trammell Venture Partners (TVP). The report highlighted that the number of unique Bitcoin-native companies funded rose 27.5% on a yearly basis, while the number of […]

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Learn MoreBitcoin-native startups see funding boost despite overall capital decline in 2024

Standard Chartered has initiated coverage on Avalanche (AVAX) with a bullish long-term outlook, forecasting a 10x price increase by 2029. The move follows growing momentum in the digital asset space as market participants begin reassessing winners in the wake of macroeconomic uncertainty and shifting technology fundamentals. In a note shared with CryptoSlate on April 2, […]

The post StanChart predicts AVAX will 10x by 2029 to outperform Bitcoin, Ethereum appeared first on CryptoSlate.

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Learn MoreStanChart predicts AVAX will 10x by 2029 to outperform Bitcoin, Ethereum

The United States House Financial Services Committee has passed the stablecoin regulation framework bill. …

Learn MoreUS House Passes STABLE Act for Stablecoin Regulation

XRP (XRP) stabilized near its $2 support after today’s marketwide sell-off sent the altcoin and several other cryptocurrencies close to their swing lows.

Data now shows the XRP/USD pair exhibiting early signs of a bullish breakout. 

Ripple’s RLUSD integration could boost XRP price

Ripple’s integration of its RLUSD stablecoin into its cross-border payments system, Ripple Payments, could significantly boost XRP’s price by enhancing its utility and liquidity. 

On April 2, Ripple, the company behind XRP, announced that it had integrated its stablecoin into the company’s cross-border payments system to boost adoption for Ripple USD (RLUSD).

RLUSD, a USD-pegged stablecoin launched in December 2024, complements XRP by providing stability for transactions, while XRP serves as a fast, liquid bridge currency. This dual-asset strategy targets the $230 billion cross-border payments market, and ims to increase demand for both assets. 

RLUSD’s market cap now stands at $244 million, with 87% growth in March alone, according to data from rwa.xyz. As adoption grows, financial institutions using Ripple Payments may rely more on XRP for liquidity, especially in volatile corridors. 

Pairing RLUSD with XRP on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and exchanges could drive trading volume and activity on XRPL’s decentralized exchange, tightening XRP’s supply. 

Positive sentiment from RLUSD’s success could also lift XRP’s value, with analysts suggesting increased adoption might push XRP toward $3.50 or higher.

“Ripple’s $RLUSD integration is a pivotal move for cross-border payments,” said crypto market insights provider Alva in an April 3 post on X.

As a result, “optimism around $RLUSD soaring, with eyes on its ripple effect on XRP,” Alva said, adding:

“Overall: A solid play for strengthening Ripple’s ecosystem and pushing stablecoin adoption forward. Get ready for potential shifts!”

Related:  How many US dollars does XRP transfer per day?

XRP pattern points to $3.51 target

XRP’s price action between Jan. 16 and April 3 has led to the formation of a symmetrical triangle pattern on the daily chart. The price is retesting the lower trendline of the triangle at $1.98, suggesting that a rebound could be in the making.

Note that the price has successfully rebounded from this trendline two to three times in the past, with each retest leading to a significant price recovery.

If a similar scenario plays out, XRP could recover from current levels and with good volumes, it may break above the triangle’s descending trendline at $2.40 (embraced by the 50-day SMA).

The target is set by the distance between the triangle’s lowest and highest points, which would bring XRP price to $3.51, an approximate 73% gain from the current price.

Several analysts also share similar bullish outlooks for the altcoin, citing XRP’s adoption, chart technicals and the end of Ripple’s long-standing case with the SEC as the reasons. 

Citing a chart similar to the one shared above, XRP investor Steph Is Crypto said the price was “heavily compressing” before a massive breakout.

 “This breakout will create many new millionaires!”

Using Elliott Wave theory, crypto analyst Dark Defender shared an optimistic price prediction for XRP, saying that the token’s correction in the monthly timeframe “will be over within weeks.”

His targets remain between $5 and $18 in the medium and long term.

When #XRP hit $3.3999, we set a 5 Elliott Wave Structure and explained that XRP completed the Monthly 3rd Wave and entered into correction, Wave 4.

We set the Wave 4 dip with a precision of $2.02.

B is in action; we also have precise levels for B Wave.

While everybody… pic.twitter.com/CVlrkaVged

— Dark Defender (@DefendDark) April 2, 2025

According to CasiTrades, the XRP’s relative strength index shows a bullish divergence on multiple timeframes and this signals a price bottom, and an upside target of $3.80.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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Learn MoreXRP holds $2 support as chart pattern hints at 73% gain

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Brazil’s largest bank, Itaú Unibanco, is considering launching its own stablecoin, making it the latest major traditional financial institution to announce similar plans. The bank’s decision will depend on how Brazil’s regulatory framework evolves and how similar initiatives by major international institutions perform, local media reported. Global trend The move comes amid a wave of […]

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Bitcoin continues to hover near the $82,000–$85,000 range as buyers struggle to regain momentum, while key on-chain data hints at interesting underlying dynamics. Technical Analysis By Edris Derakhshi The Daily Chart On the daily timeframe, BTC is attempting to defend the $80K support zone after another rejection from the $88,000 resistance and the 200-day moving […] …

Learn MoreBitcoin Price Analysis: BTC May Drop to $68K if $80K Support Fails