Opinion: Incentive-driven DeFi will disappear by 2026
According to Odaily, Eli5DeFi posted on X stating that the incentive-driven DeFi model will disappear by 2026. DeFi protocols lose users when incentives end, essentially because risk-adjusted returns revert to real levels. The growth in total value locked (TVL) during the incentive phase often reflects subsidized participation rather than lasting user demand or fee income.
It pointed out that the "rented liquidity" model has three stages: the incentive period attracts capital by compensating risk with high emissions; the normalization period sees reduced incentives and real returns emerge; and the exit period, where capital recalculates costs and withdraws after returns normalize. The collapse in retention is due to incentives temporarily masking structural weaknesses, including subsidized impermanent loss risk, yields that are essentially marketing expenses rather than income, highly internalized demand, and high friction costs.
Eli5DeFi believes that only when the economic model remains effective after incentives normalize can retention rates improve. Protocols must address impermanent loss and principal risk, anchor yields to real demand rather than token inflation, and expand the ecosystem to increase revenue sources. Future DeFi should be evaluated based on sustainable income, capital efficiency, and risk-adjusted returns.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
Analysis: Wall Street Is Not Yet Ready to Short AI in Large Numbers
Overseas capital is aggressively buying US stocks! Net inflows reached $942 billions over the past 12 months, marking a record since 1985.
According to data from the US Department of the Treasury, in the 12 months ending July this year, overseas investors made net purchases of US stocks totaling $942 billion, marking the highest rolling 12-month total since records began in 1985. The net purchases in the second quarter alone reached $426 billion, setting a new single-quarter record. Meanwhile, overseas demand for US Treasuries has noticeably cooled, with purchase volumes falling significantly. As a result, the US is facing higher costs in government debt financing.
RootData: BIO will unlock tokens worth about $1 million in one week

