Berachain, an EVM-identical Layer 1 blockchain, has achieved a major milestone just 20 days after its mainnet launch. The fast-growing blockchain surpassed Avalanche, Arbitrum, and SUI in Total Value Locked (TVL), reaching an impressive $3.27 billion before slightly retreating. With this achievement, Berachain briefly secured the 6th spot in DeFi TVL rankings before slipping to 7th place, right behind Base.
What’s Driving Berachain’s Rapid Growth?
Berachain’s rise has been fueled by its expanding DeFi ecosystem and strong investor interest. Despite most native protocols yet to launch, Berachain already boasts a $700 million circulating market cap and is trading at $6.7, according to CoinMarketCap.
Data from DeFiLlama shows that Berachain led all blockchains in net bridge inflows over the past week, further cementing its dominance in the DeFi sector.
Major Protocols Powering Berachain’s Surge
Several key protocols are playing a significant role in Berachain’s TVL explosion:
- Infrared Finance (Liquid Staking Platform) – $1.52 billion TVL
- Kodiak (Decentralized Exchange) – $1.1 billion TVL
- Concrete (Yield Farming Protocol) – $1.11 billion TVL
This strong DeFi foundation has positioned Berachain as a top contender in the blockchain space, with experts predicting even further growth.
BERA Airdrop Sparks Controversy
Following the successful launch of Berachain’s Proof-of-Liquidity Layer 1 network on February 6, the Bera Foundation distributed a massive BERA airdrop—one of the largest ever in crypto history. The airdrop covered 15.75% of its 500 million token supply.
However, the allocation structure sparked backlash from the community:
- Testnet users received only 1.65%, despite long-term engagement.
- Bong Bears NFT holders got 6.9%, leading to further criticism.
In response, the Berachain Foundation defended the distribution, citing targeting challenges in balancing fairness with strategic growth.
Berachain’s $100 Million Series B Funding & Global Expansion Plans
Berachain is not just gaining momentum in TVL—it’s also attracting major institutional backing.
In April, the project secured a $100 million Series B funding round, co-led by Brevan Howard Digital (Abu Dhabi branch) and Framework Ventures. Other key investors included:
- Polychain Capital
- Hack VC
- Tribe Capital
According to Berachain co-founder, Smokey The Bera, this funding validates their user-driven blockchain development approach. The company plans to use these funds to strengthen its presence in Hong Kong, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Final Thoughts: Can Berachain Maintain Its Momentum?
With its rapid ascent in TVL rankings, strong DeFi ecosystem, and fresh funding, Berachain is positioned as a major player in the blockchain space. However, market volatility, protocol launches, and community sentiment will play key roles in determining whether it can sustain this growth.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile. Conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
