DeFi Faces $13 Billion Decline Following Kelp DAO Hack

The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector experienced a significant downturn following a hack on Kelp DAO, resulting in approximately $292 million in losses. According to NS3.AI, this incident contributed to a $13 billion decrease in the total value locked (TVL) within DeFi platforms. The decline was primarily due to the liquidation of leveraged positions rather than a direct loss of capital. Aave, a major player in the DeFi space, witnessed substantial outflows amounting to $8.45 billion within a 48-hour period. This contributed to the overall reduction in DeFi TVL, which has now returned to levels seen a year ago. The hack and subsequent market reactions underscore the vulnerabilities and volatility inherent in the DeFi ecosystem.