The recent liquidity shock gave us one of the best real-world stress tests for DeFi in 2025. Some systems cracked under pressure while others remained stable and functional. But one thing became clear: The protocols that automate risk management through smart contracts will always outperform those that rely on human discretion. While trading desks and centralized venues scrambled to manage exposure manually, DeFi protocols like @aave executed seamlessly. $180M in liquidations were processed automatically, keeping the protocol solvent, stable, and fully transparent in real time. Its liquidation engine and risk controls handled one of the fastest and most violent market moves this year, and did so with complete transparency. This is exactly what DeFi was built for: Self-sustaining financial infrastructure that keeps operating no matter what’s happening in the world. For context, think back to previous market shocks like the 2022 LUNA collapse or the FTX blow-up. Centralized entities halted withdrawals, suffered liquidity crises, or simply disappeared overnight. In contrast, Aave and similar protocols have consistently proven one thing: Automation and transparency outperform discretion and opacity in times of high volatility. This incident was a reminder of how far DeFi has matured. Protocols like Aave are no longer experimental finance tools; they’re robust, tested systems that can weather the same macro stress events that disrupt traditional markets. If institutions are watching for proof that DeFi can handle scale and unpredictability, this was it. No circuit breakers, no bailouts..just trustless execution. To me, this moment signals something deeper: DeFi is quietly becoming the backbone of a more resilient financial system, and Aave just proved it again. DeFi will win.