Speaking at the Cointelegraph Connect event in Cannes, iVault CEO Arman Sarhaddar stressed that the future of DeFi will be shaped by real-world applications rather than pure narrative. He said innovation in the sector is increasingly focused on addressing inflation and other critical challenges across the Web3 ecosystem.
DeFi standards are becoming more practical
According to Sarhaddar, projects seeking long-term relevance can no longer rely only on market hype or theoretical potential. To be considered a DeFi blue chip, a protocol must demonstrate real revenue, meaningful traction, and the ability to deliver tangible solutions for users and the broader market.
His comments point to a broader shift in how DeFi projects are judged. Instead of rewarding vision alone, the market is increasingly looking for measurable execution and business performance. In that framework, protocols need to prove that their products can generate sustainable value in actual operating conditions.
From experimentation to utility
The remarks also reflect a maturing DeFi sector, where the emphasis is moving from speculative appeal toward practical adoption. In an environment shaped by macroeconomic pressure and tighter competition, products that can respond to real financial needs and persistent Web3 pain points may stand out more clearly.
Overall, Sarhaddar’s message was direct: the next wave of leading DeFi projects is likely to come from teams that can turn innovation into revenue, traction, and real utility. That could make practical application one of the defining benchmarks for blue-chip status in decentralized finance.