The 2026 annual report on DeFi vaults reveals significant shifts in the sector, with total value locked (TVL) across all vault categories dropping to $120.4 billion, a 50% decrease from the peak of $241 billion in October last year. This decline was largely driven by the "October liquidation event," which triggered widespread liquidations across DeFi. Despite the downturn, Real World Asset (RWA) vaults showed resilience, growing by 37.8% during the same period, highlighting their limited exposure to on-chain assets. Lending vaults remain the largest category, with platforms like Morpho and Aave introducing new features to attract institutional investors. Morpho's curator model has helped it accumulate over $7.5 billion in TVL, while Aave's recent updates aim to compete in the institutional space. Liquidity staking protocols, such as Lido and Binance Staked ETH, continue to dominate, although they face concentration risks and slow growth. Meanwhile, risk curation vaults and yield optimizers are evolving, with new strategies and partnerships driving their development. The report also notes the challenges faced by perpetual contract LP vaults and options vaults, which have struggled with market volatility and structural changes. However, innovations in options vaults, such as the use of Request for Quotation (RFQ) systems, are beginning to attract more sophisticated users. Overall, the DeFi vault landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with a focus on safety, risk management, and the integration of real-world assets.