E63: Beyond TVL - Driving Real Growth in DeFi Ecosystems

In this episode of the ATX DAO Podcast, we sit down with Austin Lee of Alpha Growth to explore what it really takes to drive sustainable growth in DeFi ecosystems beyond just chasing Total Value Locked (TVL). Austin shares his experience working with major protocols like Uniswap, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Alpha Growth supports new chain launches, ecosystem development, and liquidity incentive strategies that actually work.

We dive into the evolving DeFi growth stack, from the role of infrastructure and on-off ramps to the rise of Uniswap V4 hooks and structured products. Austin explains why protocols must shift focus from vanity metrics to real user activation and capital velocity. Whether you’re launching a blockchain, scaling a DeFi product, or exploring new L2s, this episode is packed with practical insights on what separates temporary hype from lasting adoption.