Crypto Leverage: Analyzing Trends and Shifts in 2025

The landscape of crypto leverage continues to experience significant shifts, as highlighted by Galaxy Research’s comprehensive report for the first quarter of 2025. This analysis delves into the evolving dynamics of crypto-collateralized lending and the broader implications for both centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) sectors.

Key Developments in Crypto Lending

At the close of Q1 2025, the crypto-collateralized lending market saw a contraction of 4.88%, amounting to $39.07 billion in open borrows. CeFi venues experienced a notable increase of $1.14 billion (+9.24%) in borrows, while DeFi applications saw a decline of $4.7 billion (-21.14%). Interestingly, the crypto-collateralized component of stablecoins rose by $1.6 billion (+25.56%).

The report underscores the decline in onchain stablecoin borrow rates from 11.59% at the beginning of the year to 5% by late May. This 56.86% reduction is attributed to declining asset prices, reduced onchain activity, and updated interest rate parameters on lending platforms.

Bitcoin Treasury Strategies

Publicly traded bitcoin treasury firms have amplified their strategies, adding $2.1 billion in debt to acquire BTC in early 2025. Notably, companies like Semler Scientific and Strategy have issued significant debt tranches to support their bitcoin acquisitions, reflecting a continued reliance on debt-fueled strategies for crypto asset accumulation.

Despite concerns about sustainability, these strategies continue to attract interest, with Strategy alone carrying $8.214 billion in debt aimed at bolstering its bitcoin reserves.

Futures Markets and Institutional Interest

Futures markets have also witnessed substantial growth, with open interest across major venues reaching $115.97 billion as of late May. While bitcoin futures open interest saw a slight decline, Ethereum and Solana futures experienced notable increases, indicating a diversification of interest across various crypto assets.

Hyperliquid, a burgeoning venue for perpetual futures trading, has emerged as a significant player, capturing a 10.73% market share. This growth reflects a potential shift in market dynamics, with Hyperliquid challenging established leaders like Binance.

Conclusion

Galaxy Research’s report suggests a more nuanced and diversified leverage landscape in 2025. The interplay between CeFi and DeFi, alongside evolving treasury strategies and futures market dynamics, indicates a crypto economy that is both adapting to new trends and facing unique challenges. As institutional interest grows and new platforms gain traction, the crypto leverage landscape is poised for further transformation.

For more detailed insights, the full report can be accessed on galaxy.com.

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