• Aptos, Celestia, Filecoin, Avalanche, and Taiko recorded gains nearing 30% amid rising DeFi activity and market momentum.

  • Increased smart contract usage, liquidity inflows, and developer engagement helped drive the exceptional performance of top DeFi tokens.

  • Newer networks like Taiko are beginning to capture investor attention through innovative architecture and growing ecosystem traction.

The decentralized finance (DeFi) market showed notable resilience this week, with five major tokens registering double-digit gains. Aptos (APT), Celestia (TIA), Filecoin (FIL), Avalanche (AVAX), and newcomer Taiko (TAIK) each surged significantly, peaking close to 30% as overall sentiment in the crypto space shifted from caution to cautious optimism. The gains have positioned these tokens at the center of current DeFi discussions, driven by a combination of increasing on-chain activity, rising developer engagement, and renewed liquidity inflows.

Aptos (APT): Momentum Building Through Technical and Ecosystem Growth

Aptos witnessed an incredible price rise, adding more than 20% for the week, thanks to strong technicals and mounting developer activity. The analysts highlighted a breakout from major resistance levels, with volume inflows reflecting evidence of sustainable market interest. On-chain analytics indicated higher smart contract deployments, which indicated the Aptos network is witnessing wider utility over speculation trading. 

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Furthermore, ecosystem growth initiatives, such as incentive programs and the introduction of new dApps, have also enhanced the token's performance. The push has placed Aptos in a positive technical stance, with bullish investors looking up at higher resistance levels.

Celestia (TIA): Data Availability Pioneer Sees Exceptional Week

Celestia posted near 30% gains, driven by renewed interest in modular blockchain architecture. The protocol, known for separating consensus from data availability, is experiencing increased traction as developers explore scalable rollup deployments. Social sentiment and GitHub contributions both rose sharply, reinforcing its position as a revolutionary force in DeFi infrastructure. 

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According to research firms, Celestia’s design is gaining recognition in Ethereum Layer-2 circles, fueling a narrative shift in favor of modular solutions. This broader recognition has translated into notable market performance as investors position ahead of further protocol adoption.

Filecoin (FIL): Demand for Decentralized Storage Pushes Recovery

Filecoin’s strong recovery this week — with price gains exceeding 18% — was linked to a spike in decentralized storage demand, particularly among AI and Web3 projects. Filecoin’s integration with multiple infrastructure tools and Layer-1 chains is boosting utility, leading to increased token activity. Additionally, strategic partnerships around data persistence and retrieval layers have bolstered its profile among institutional users. Technical indicators showed a breakout from consolidation, with RSI levels supporting bullish sentiment. FIL’s unique position in decentralized data services continues to make it a standout in the storage segment of DeFi.

Avalanche (AVAX): Stable Protocol Growth Fuels Price Momentum

Avalanche recorded a phenomenal double-digit rise, backed by rising TVL across its C-chain and increased transaction throughput. DeFi-native protocols on Avalanche, including DEXs and lending platforms, witnessed a rise in user activity, indicating capital rotation back into the ecosystem. On-chain analysis revealed sustained growth in validator participation and bridge activity, further reinforcing long-term confidence. While not a new player, Avalanche’s consistent scaling efforts and integration with institutional-grade platforms highlight its role as a superior performer in the multi-chain DeFi arena.

Taiko (TAIK): Newcomer Gains Traction with Modular Rollup Framework

Taiko, a recent Layer-2 entrant, saw one of the most lucrative weekly performances, reflecting growing investor attention toward modular rollup protocols. With a price increase nearing 25%, Taiko’s architecture — modeled as a type-1 zkEVM — is drawing attention for its Ethereum-equivalent environment. The network experienced a spike in transaction volume and community engagement, signaling growing user adoption. Developers have praised Taiko’s composability and flexibility, which supports a wide range of dApp use cases. Though still early-stage, the token's dynamic rally highlights its potential in the competitive rollup landscape.