^GSPC$7,423.20+0.56%^IXIC$25,009.60+1.04%^DJI$42,502.91-0.16%^VIX$27.32+2.05%^STOXX50E$67.27+0.73%BTC-USD$79,633.68-1.06%ETH-USD$2,258.12-0.71%SOL-USD$90.98-3.49%AAPL$298.95+1.41%MSFT$405.09-0.66%NVDA$225.86+2.30%TSLA$445.21+2.71%META$616.61+2.26%GOOGL$402.64+3.95%AMZN$270.15+1.63%AMD$445.40-0.64%EURUSD$1.1712-0.24%GC$4,688.94-0.56%CL$101.41-1.59%^GSPC$7,423.20+0.56%^IXIC$25,009.60+1.04%^DJI$42,502.91-0.16%^VIX$27.32+2.05%^STOXX50E$67.27+0.73%BTC-USD$79,633.68-1.06%ETH-USD$2,258.12-0.71%SOL-USD$90.98-3.49%AAPL$298.95+1.41%MSFT$405.09-0.66%NVDA$225.86+2.30%TSLA$445.21+2.71%META$616.61+2.26%GOOGL$402.64+3.95%AMZN$270.15+1.63%AMD$445.40-0.64%EURUSD$1.1712-0.24%GC$4,688.94-0.56%CL$101.41-1.59%
RockstarMarkets
All glossary
Crypto

TVL

Total Value Locked - the dollar value of assets deposited in a DeFi protocol.

What it means

TVL is the sum of all assets users have deposited into a DeFi protocol's smart contracts. It's the closest analog to AUM in traditional finance and the most-tracked single metric for DeFi protocol health.

Why it matters

TVL changes signal capital flowing into or out of protocols. Sustained TVL growth is a fundamental indicator. Sudden TVL drops are usually bad news (exploits, de-pegs, major user exits).

How to use it

Watch DeFiLlama for cross-protocol TVL. Compare TVL changes to token price changes - divergence is meaningful.

Take it further

Want a worked example or a deeper dive? Ask Rocky how this concept applies to your specific watchlist or trade idea.

Ask Rocky