A new research report from Dune, commissioned by 1inch, reveals a substantial inefficiency within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The study found that 85% of concentrated DeFi liquidity is underutilized, leading to an estimated $150 million in annual fees being foregone. This indicates potential challenges in capital allocation and optimization within the DeFi ecosystem, an area where platforms like 1inch are central.

In a separate development showcasing strategic expansion into the fintech space, Tether, the company behind the popular USDT stablecoin, has announced a significant $20 million investment. This capital injection was directed towards Ualá, an Argentine neobank, as part of a larger $197 million funding round. The investment values the rapidly growing fintech firm at $3.2 billion, signaling Tether's ongoing efforts to broaden its influence and integrate with emerging financial technology ventures beyond its core stablecoin operations.