Which Protocols Dominated BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program #5?

The BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program #5 has officially concluded, and the results are in. This initiative, designed to foster innovation and growth within the decentralized finance (DeFi) and restaking ecosystems, has provided delegation support to some of the most promising protocols on the BNB Chain. 

The program’s goal is to catalyze growth by rewarding the top performers with up to 5% of their incremental staked BNB.

In this article, we’ll dive into the top protocols that excelled in the latest iteration of the TVL Incentive Program.

What is the BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program #5?

The BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program is a performance-based initiative aimed at incentivizing liquidity in decentralized protocols. This particular round, #5, concluded on March 21, 2025, and allocated delegation support to the top protocols based on their Total Value Locked (TVL) performance. 

The program supports the development of liquid (re)staking protocols and directly enhances the BNB Chain ecosystem's security and scalability.

By offering up to 5% of each protocol's incremental staked BNB, the initiative provides crucial support to top performers and drives sustainable growth for BNB Chain’s DeFi infrastructure. The selected protocols were evaluated based on several key metrics, and the top five received the coveted Delegation Support.

KernelDAO Leads the Pack

Among the participants, KernelDAO emerged as the top performer of the BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program #5, securing a substantial 3956 BNB in Delegation Support. KernelDAO’s approach to governance and restaking played a significant role in its success, and the support it received will likely further propel its development within the ecosystem.

KernelDAO’s platform is designed to allow decentralized governance of blockchain networks, enabling efficient decision-making through community-led processes. 

Astherus and YieldNest Follow Closely

Astherus, another standout participant in the program, secured the second spot, earning 3512 BNB in Delegation Support. Astherus is focused on building a decentralized liquidity ecosystem, providing users with efficient staking and yield farming solutions. 

Following closely behind in third place was YieldNest, which earned 97 BNB in Delegation Support. YieldNest has been gaining traction as a decentralized yield optimization protocol, providing users with higher yields through a combination of staking and liquidity farming. 

Tranchess and Lista-DAO: Noteworthy Mentions

Tranchess, which secured the fourth position, received 149 BNB in Delegation Support. Tranchess operates as a decentralized structured product protocol, offering risk-adjusted investment opportunities through tokenized tranches. 

In the fifth position was Lista-DAO, which earned 1704 BNB. Lista-DAO is a DAO-focused protocol that aims to create decentralized solutions for data management and decision-making. 

How Delegation Support Works

The BNB Chain TVL Incentive Program allocates Delegation Support to top protocols based on their incremental staked BNB. This support is calculated as a percentage of each protocol's growth in staked BNB, ranging from 1% to 5%. 

The support is distributed in BNB tokens, and each protocol's reward is determined according to its respective tier in the program. This incentive mechanism plays a key role in encouraging continued growth and innovation within the BNB Chain ecosystem.

The Impact of the TVL Incentive Program

The TVL Incentive Program not only provides much-needed financial support to top-performing protocols but also strengthens the BNB Chain ecosystem as a whole. By incentivizing protocols that contribute to the growth and security of the network, BNB Chain aims to build a more resilient and scalable DeFi infrastructure.

Additionally, the program plays a crucial role in driving the restaking ecosystem, which is a growing trend in the DeFi space. Restaking allows users to lock their tokens to participate in governance and staking activities, thereby helping to secure the network while also earning rewards. 

BNB Chain’s Continued Commitment to DeFi Growth

In addition to this initiative, last month BNB Chain launched a $100 million program designed to enhance liquidity for native projects on centralized exchanges (CEXs). This program aims to incentivize exchanges to list BNB Chain tokens, further enhancing the liquidity and visibility of projects within the BNB ecosystem.

Moreover, the BNB Chain AI Hack, which was launched in February 2025, is driving innovation in Web3 by exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. With a rolling format and global reach, the hackathon has already yielded several notable projects, including Tutorial Agent, an AI-powered assistant designed to help users navigate the BNB Chain ecosystem.