Top 5 NFT Platforms Integrating DeFi in 2025

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Top 5 NFT Platforms Integrating DeFi in 2025 – Lending, Staking & More

Introduction

The fusion of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) is reshaping the blockchain landscape in 2025. As the NFT market rebounds—hitting weekly sales of $200 million in March 2025—platforms are integrating staking, lending, and liquidity features to unlock new financial utilities. This transformation turns static NFTs into dynamic assets, enhancing both usability and profitability.

Here are the top 5 NFT platforms driving this evolution.

1. Aave Horizon – NFT-Backed Stablecoin Lending

Aave’s Horizon, launched in March 2025, is revolutionizing NFT-backed lending by allowing users to borrow stablecoins like GHO and USDC using NFTs as collateral.

  • Built on Ethereum, it enables high-value NFT owners—such as CryptoPunks or Bored Ape holders—to access liquidity without selling.
  • Users can lock their NFTs into Horizon’s smart contracts and borrow up to 50% of their appraised value.
  • After repayment, they can reclaim their assets.

With Aave’s total value locked (TVL) surpassing $1 billion in Q1 2025, Horizon’s stablecoin lending bridges NFT ownership with DeFi flexibility.

2. Thala Labs – NFT Staking on Aptos

A rising star on the Aptos blockchain, is pioneering NFT staking, offering yields up to 12% APR.

  • By March 2025, Thala’s TVL has exceeded $150 million, fueled by its ability to let users stake NFTs alongside tokens like APT and USDC.
  • Stakers earn rewards in Thala’s native token, turning NFTs into income-generating assets.
  • Aptos’ 160,000 transactions per second (TPS) capacity and low fees ($0.01 per transaction) make it a top choice for passive income seekers.

Thala Labs exemplifies how NFT DeFi platforms can thrive on high-performance blockchains.

3. NFTfi – Peer-to-Peer NFT Lending

NFTfi has been a leader in NFT-backed loans since 2020 and has facilitated over $500 million in lending volume by 2025.

  • Operating on Ethereum, NFTfi connects NFT owners with lenders in a peer-to-peer marketplace, allowing users to borrow ETH or stablecoins against their NFTs.
  • Popular collections like Azuki and Pudgy Penguins dominate its listings.
  • Borrowers set their own collateral terms, while lenders earn interest, offering greater flexibility than traditional DeFi lending models.

NFTfi’s decentralized approach makes it a standout in the NFT lending ecosystem.

4. BendDAO – Liquidity Pools for NFT Lending

BendDAO takes a unique approach by integrating liquidity pools into NFT lending.

  • Launched on Ethereum in 2022, it allows users to deposit ETH into pools that fund NFT-backed loans.
  • As of March 2025, BendDAO supports over 20 top NFT collections, including BAYC and CryptoPunks, with a TVL of $80 million.
  • Borrowers can access instant loans—up to 40% of their NFT’s floor price—while liquidity providers earn an average 8% APR.

BendDAO’s staking-lending hybrid model helps democratize NFT liquidity, reducing market inefficiencies.

5. Rarible – NFT-Powered Yield Farming

Rarible, a multichain NFT marketplace, has expanded into DeFi by 2025 with NFT-powered yield farming linked to its RARI token.

  • Users can stake NFTs from curated collections into liquidity pools on Ethereum, Polygon, and Tezos, earning RARI rewards.
  • With over $50 million in staked assets, Rarible’s DeFi integration incentivizes both creators and collectors.
  • Its multi-chain support and ease of use make it a flexible platform for NFT-based financial tools.

Why NFT-DeFi Integration Matters

The convergence of NFTs and DeFi is transforming the way digital assets are utilized:

  • NFT staking generates passive income.
  • Lending unlocks trapped value, solving NFT illiquidity issues.
  • Stablecoins and liquidity pools expand DeFi utility.

Market Growth and Adoption

In March 2025, DeFi’s TVL hit $300 billion, while stablecoins reached $226 billion, according to Crypto.news. This rapid expansion fuels the NFT-DeFi synergy, making it easier than ever to:

  1. Stake a Pudgy Penguin on Thala Labs.
  2. Borrow USDC through Aave Horizon.
  3. Farm yields on Rarible.

All within a seamless DeFi-NFT portfolio.

Security & User Adoption

Top platforms like Aave and NFTfi use audited smart contracts to enhance security. Meanwhile, user-friendly interfaces attract both retail and institutional investors, bridging the gap between crypto-native users and traditional finance.

Conclusion

The top 5 NFT platforms integrating DeFi—Aave Horizon, Thala Labs, NFTfi, BendDAO, and Rarible—are redefining NFTs in 2025. By introducing stablecoin lending, staking, and yield farming, they enhance NFT financial utility and expand DeFi’s reach.

As NFT markets recover and DeFi matures, these platforms are proving that NFTs are more than digital collectibles—they’re powerful financial instruments. For investors and collectors, now is the time to explore NFT DeFi platforms and capitalize on decentralized finance’s evolution.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing in NFTs and DeFi carries risks, and users should conduct their own research before making any financial decisions.

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