Did DeFi tokens take a beating in April? New research suggests that while decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens struggled, April was surprisingly good for meme coins like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB).

April\'s Contrasting Fortunes: DeFi vs. Meme Coins

Recent analysis from Kraken and other sources reveals a stark contrast in performance. While some might expect a uniform downturn during market corrections, April 2025 painted a different picture. According to data published as early as April 17, 2025, the crypto landscape saw an unusual flip. Typically, large-cap Layer-1s might shine during corrections. However, April fared relatively well for memecoins, such as dogecoin and shiba inu, but marked big losses for decentralized finance tokens, including aave (AAVE) and thorchain (RUNE).

This trend was reinforced throughout the month. Reports from May 6, 2025, confirmed that April fared relatively well for memecoins, such as dogecoin (DOGE) and shiba inu (SHIB), but marked big losses for decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens, including aave (AAVE). Further reports from May 8, 2025, emphasized that "April fared well for memecoins like dOGE and SHIB but the DEFI tokens were the biggest losers the same month like Aave, RUNE, and more, as the research from Kraken" indicated.

Why the Divergence in April\'s Crypto Performance?

Understanding why meme coins thrived while DeFi tokens faltered requires a nuanced perspective. Market sentiment, risk appetite, and specific project developments all play a role. While it\'s not always easy to predict these trends, staying informed about market research and data analysis can offer valuable insights. So, while April might have been rough for Aave, Thorchain (RUNE), and other DeFi projects, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu holders might have had reason to celebrate.