TVL Collapse

Definition ∞ A significant and rapid decrease in the Total Value Locked (TVL) within a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol or across the entire DeFi ecosystem. TVL represents the aggregate value of all digital assets deposited into a protocol, serving as a key metric for its health and user confidence. A TVL collapse often signals a loss of trust, a major security exploit, a market downturn, or a mass withdrawal of funds. It indicates a severe contraction in the capital committed to decentralized applications.
Context ∞ Reports of TVL collapse are frequently headline news in the cryptocurrency market, often following major hacks, liquidity crises, or widespread market corrections. Such events can trigger a domino effect across interconnected DeFi protocols, leading to broader instability. Analysts closely monitor TVL trends as an indicator of investor sentiment and the overall health of the decentralized finance sector, with significant declines prompting concerns about systemic risk.