Definition ∞ LST Utilization describes the extent to which Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) are actively employed across various decentralized finance applications beyond their initial staking function. This includes using LSTs as collateral for loans, providing liquidity to decentralized exchanges, or participating in yield farming protocols. High LST utilization indicates a robust and integrated DeFi ecosystem, maximizing the capital efficiency of staked assets. It reflects the overall utility and demand for these derivative tokens.
Context ∞ LST utilization is a central theme in DeFi news, as it highlights the capital efficiency and composability of liquid staking derivatives. Discussions often address the potential for increased systemic risk when LSTs are used across multiple protocols and the security implications of such complex interactions. Observing LST utilization trends provides insight into the liquidity and interconnectedness of the decentralized financial landscape.