What it is
A meaningful nominal increase in a protocol's total value locked, measured in reported USD value rather than only the headline percentage.
Why it matters
Reported TVL is a useful first depth check. A rise can reflect deposits, token-price repricing, mapping changes, or a combination, so the cause still needs evidence.
How we read it
We rank by the absolute nominal USD change, not percentage alone, so a quiet 4% change on a large venue can outrank a loud 200% spike on a tiny one. We label price-adjusted flow unavailable until asset-level composition supports it.
What it cannot tell you
TVL can rise simply because the price of the locked asset rose, not because new units arrived. Treat a tide as a question to investigate, never a buy signal.