Fantom creator Andre Cronje says most DeFi platforms now rely on intermediaries, deviating from core decentralization principles.
Most decentralized finance protocols have abandoned true decentralization, according to Fantom creator Andre Cronje. He argued that features like circuit breakers, risk committees, and institutional oversight have turned DeFi into “onchain finance,” sacrificing immutability and autonomy.
Total value locked in DeFi has fallen sharply, dropping from $167 billion in early October 2025 to $75 billion. Cronje noted that the shift reflects broader industry trends toward regulated, intermediary-driven models rather than the original peer-to-peer ethos.
The comments highlight growing concerns about DeFi’s evolution as adoption expands but foundational principles erode. Market participants continue to weigh the trade-offs between decentralization and institutional integration.