Definition ∞ Institutional DeFi flow describes the movement of significant capital from traditional financial institutions into decentralized finance protocols. This trend indicates increasing acceptance and participation by large-scale entities in crypto-native financial services. Such flows often involve regulated entities using specialized platforms or compliant DeFi protocols for activities like lending, borrowing, and yield generation. It signifies a maturation of the DeFi market beyond retail participation.
Context ∞ News frequently covers institutional DeFi flow as a key indicator of mainstream adoption and the legitimization of decentralized finance. The entry of institutions brings greater liquidity, but also raises questions about regulatory clarity and the need for robust risk management frameworks. Future developments include the creation of more permissioned DeFi protocols and specialized infrastructure to meet institutional compliance requirements.