MET and JUP Top in 2025 Fees, Here’s What to Expect 2026

Key Insights:

• MET, JUP, and UNI earned over $1B each in 2025 as DeFi shifted from holding to active trading.
• Transaction speed and flow became the main drivers of revenue, rewarding platforms that move value fast.
• 2026 will favor DeFi platforms that combine high liquidity, fast execution, and fee-focused trading strategies.

DeFi experienced rapid change in 2025 as transaction fees became the main measure of success. Platforms moving value quickly earned the highest revenue. MET, JUP, and Uniswap each generated over $1 billion in fees. The market shifted from rewarding holding to rewarding activity. In 2026, speed, flow, and transaction fees will determine the top platforms.

Top DeFi Platforms by Fees

Meteora (MET) led 2025 with $1.25 billion in total fees. Jupiter (JUP) followed with $1.11 billion, and Uniswap (UNI) earned $1.06 billion. PUMP and HYPE also recorded strong performance, generating $937 million and $909 million. This data shows platforms focused on fast trading captured the largest revenue.

Traders adjusted strategies to focus on short-term activity rather than long-term holding. Platforms optimized for high transaction volumes gained more attention. Speculation became a structured business model as users moved assets actively. Active trading became more profitable than passive investment across most platforms.

Regulatory Context and Market Access

The European Union’s MiCA framework will begin enforcement between late 2025 and mid-2026. Exchanges, custodians, and service providers must secure authorization to operate. Poland delayed adoption after the president vetoed the national bill, showing regulatory differences.

MiCA requires third-country crypto providers to establish EU presence for legal operation. Well-funded platforms can comply, but smaller startups face higher costs. Fully decentralized protocols are mostly exempt, though front-end access may still be restricted. Users may experience geo-blocks or additional terms of service in regulated regions.

Self-custody wallets such as Metamask and WalletConnect remain unaffected by CASP requirements. Transfers from these wallets to regulated exchanges above €1,000 are logged for compliance. DeFi users can continue trading, but some friction may occur in regulated markets.

Here’s What to Expect 2026

The DeFi market in 2026 will reward speed, liquidity, and active transaction flow. Platforms that process high volumes efficiently are likely to earn the most fees. Investors may prioritize fee-focused trading over traditional holding strategies. High activity platforms may dominate earnings again while smaller protocols navigate compliance hurdles.

DeFi now measures success by movement rather than storage. Platforms that combine fast execution with accessible interfaces will lead the market. Active trading, flow, and speed will define the winners of 2026. The year will belong to those who maximize transaction fees while maintaining efficient operations.