Uniswap Surges 19%, Bucking Trend as Aave Plummets 16% in Mixed Crypto Market

The digital asset market showed sharp divergence on Monday, as a powerful 19% weekend rally in Uniswap (UNI) helped lift a key market index, even while decentralized finance (DeFi) peer Aave (AAVE) tumbled more than 16%. The moves highlight a fractured landscape for investors heading into the final weeks of the year.

According to data from CoinDesk Indices, the CoinDesk 20 Index, a broad-based benchmark tracking the performance of top cryptocurrencies, was trading at 2,781.63 on Dec. 22. That's a 1.3% gain, or 35.91 points, since Friday's 4 p.m. ET close. Overall market sentiment was cautiously optimistic, with 12 of the index's 20 constituent assets trading in positive territory.

Uniswap's 19% surge made it the clear standout performer, significantly outpacing other gainers. In stark contrast, Aave's 16.2% decline positioned it as the day's biggest laggard, signaling potential profit-taking or shifting sentiment within the DeFi lending sector. The split performance between two major DeFi assets suggests investors are becoming more selective, focusing on specific protocols rather than betting on the entire sector.