Daylight Raises $75 Million to Expand Decentralized Energy Network: A 2025 DeFi Milestone

In a transformative leap for renewable energy and decentralized finance (DeFi), Daylight—a pioneering platform tokenizing distributed energy resources (DERs)—has secured $75 million in funding to scale its blockchain-powered energy network. Announced on October 16, 2025, the raise comprises $15 million in equity led by Framework Ventures and $60 million in project finance from Turtle Hill Capital. Backed by luminaries like a16z crypto, M13, EV3 Ventures, and Lerer Hippeau, Daylight aims to revolutionize solar financing by enabling homeowners to tokenize their panels and batteries, unlocking liquidity for grid contributions. This positions Daylight at the forefront of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) in DeFi, potentially channeling $10 billion+ into clean energy by integrating with protocols like Aave for yield-bearing staking yields up to 8% APY.

Daylight’s Vision: Tokenizing Solar for Global Impact

Daylight’s core innovation is the Daylight Network, a DeFi utility layer connecting residential DERs to global markets. Users tokenize solar assets via the Daylight app, earning rewards for energy exports while investors fund new installations through liquidity pools. Blockchain automates payments, slashing solar financing costs by 90% versus traditional loans. Initial rollouts in Illinois and Massachusetts emphasize solar subscriptions, with EV charging and smart grid features slated for Q4 2025. CEO Jason Badeaux stated: “Crypto excels at aligning incentives and driving down costs—Daylight makes clean energy a profitable, programmable asset class.”

• Funding Breakdown: $15M equity for tech; $60M debt for solar projects.
• Tokenization Mechanics: Solar yields as RWAs; staking for 8% APY.
• Global Scale: Targets 10,000+ DERs by 2026; utility partnerships.

Implications for DeFi and RWAs

This capital accelerates the “DayFi” protocol, blending DeFi with utilities to tokenize $1 trillion in energy financing. In 2025’s RWA boom, Daylight could seize 5-10% market share, enabling fractional solar ownership and blockchain-based carbon credits. It tackles climate finance gaps, with smart contracts ensuring transparent yields. Challenges include regulatory hurdles for tokenized utilities and grid integration, but partnerships mitigate risks.

For DeFi investors, Daylight offers volatility hedges via stable solar-backed tokens. As infrastructure like Compound integrates RWAs, Daylight bridges TradFi and blockchain for sustainable growth.

In summary, Daylight’s $75 million raise fuels a tokenized energy revolution, merging DeFi innovation with real-world sustainability for 2025’s green finance era.