Core Blockchain Sees 40% TVL Surge in Q1 2025 as DeFi Upgrades and Institutional Staking Drive Growth

The Core blockchain is experiencing a surge in interest and activity following a series of major developments in its decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. According to recent reports, the total value locked (TVL) in Core’s DeFi protocols jumped by 40% in the first quarter of 2025, signaling renewed momentum despite broader market volatility.

A key catalyst for this growth has been the Theseus upgrade, which introduced significant improvements to protocol performance and enhanced the developer experience. This upgrade has enabled faster transaction processing and improved scalability, making Core more attractive to both users and builders.

Institutional adoption is also on the rise. Custody provider Ceffu recently integrated Core’s Dual Staking, allowing institutions to stake both Bitcoin and CORE tokens seamlessly. This move has attracted new institutional capital to the ecosystem, further boosting TVL and reinforcing Core’s position as a leading platform for Bitcoin-based DeFi solutions.

Another major milestone was the Core Foundation’s commitment of $20 million in CORE tokens to CoreFi, a strategic initiative aimed at expanding Bitcoin Finance (BTCfi) capabilities. CoreFi’s regulated, leveraged investment strategies—modeled after successful approaches in the industry—enable investors to generate Bitcoin yield and participate in the rapidly growing BTCfi sector. Since April 2024, over 5,700 BTC have been staked on Core, underscoring its appeal for both retail and institutional participants.

Despite these positive developments, the price of CORE tokens saw a 20% decline in recent weeks, attributed to intensifying competition in the DeFi sector. However, market analysts remain optimistic, citing the blockchain’s robust fundamentals, the relaunch of its mobile app, and expanding Bitcoin DeFi features as reasons for potential recovery. Some experts speculate that CORE could reclaim the $3 price level if current trends continue.

Core’s network metrics also reflect its growing adoption: over 35 million unique addresses, more than 310 million transactions processed, and a network secured by approximately 76% of Bitcoin mining hash power. With more than 150 decentralized applications now leveraging the platform, Core is positioned at the forefront of Bitcoin-aligned DeFi innovation.

As the DeFi landscape evolves, Core’s blend of technical upgrades, institutional partnerships, and expanding BTCfi capabilities are drawing increased attention from both the crypto community and traditional financial players.