EthCC 9: Interview with ZyFAI — Optimizing DeFi Yields with AI Agents

ZyFAI is a DeFi Agent built to optimize DeFi yields with real-time data and automated on-chain actions. I interviewed Gauthier Vila, Founder of ZyFAI at EthCC 9 in Cannes.

Mahsa: What is ZyFAI? Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

Gauthier: Absolutely. I’ve been building products since 2021, mainly around account abstraction in DeFi. ZyFAI is essentially a yield agent. In simple terms, we help users access the best lending rates across DeFi. Users deposit funds, and our agent acts on their behalf to find the best risk-adjusted yield across major DeFi blue-chip protocols.

Mahsa: I interviewed you here nine months ago. What updates do you have since then? What has happened with ZyFAI over the past nine months?

Gauthier: A lot has happened. We’ve seen major product adoption and have now moved over $2 billion in funds. Our agent automatically rebalances users’ stablecoins across DeFi protocols, and we’ve done that for more than 13,000 wallets. We’re now close to $10 million in TVL. We also launched an SDK, which allows fintechs, wallets, and centralized exchanges to integrate our infrastructure. Beyond that, we’ve built tools so other agents can integrate with our yielding infrastructure as well. It’s been an exciting journey — and we’re actually releasing something new today, which I’ll share more about later.

Mahsa: If you had to invest €1 million right now, where would you allocate it?

Gauthier: Right now, I think ETH is especially interesting because we’re seeing institutions and Wall Street increasingly move on-chain. That’s a huge development. As regulatory frameworks like the Genius Act and Clarity Act progress in the U.S., I think it will unlock even more liquidity. So for me, Ethereum would probably get 30–40% of that portfolio. Then I’d allocate some to Bitcoin, some to Hyperliquid for trading and perps exposure, and also a portion into gold and silver. That would be my diversified $1 million strategy.

Mahsa: Which sector of crypto do you think will disappear or struggle the most over the next two years?

Gauthier: There are simply too many L1s and L2s right now that raised massive amounts of capital but have very little real usage. I think many of these chains will slowly fade away. Users will likely consolidate around a smaller number of dominant ecosystems like Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and a few others. That’s probably one of the biggest challenges in the industry right now. We’ve also already seen NFT gaming and metaverse hype cool down significantly. Maybe real use cases will emerge later, but for now, many of those sectors are facing serious challenges.

Even meme coins seem to be cooling off a bit. But honestly, I love these periods in the cycle because this is when real builders focus on creating real products with genuine utility. There’s less noise, fewer distractions, and higher quality conversations. That’s exactly what I feel here in Cannes right now. These are the times when true builders keep building, and that’s what makes it such an interesting moment for investors.

Mahsa: bearish or bullish in 2026?

Gauthier: I think people still talk a lot about traditional market cycles, but I believe crypto may be evolving beyond that framework. Just like after the dot-com era, industries mature. I think blockchain will continue growing more steadily over time. What will really matter is how regulatory developments like the Clarity Act and Genius Act unfold, because they could create the trust and legal framework needed for broader adoption. Once that happens, I think we’ll see major acceleration.

Mahsa: Which category do you think will be the next major breakthrough in crypto?

Gauthier: I strongly believe it’s the intersection of AI and blockchain — especially autonomous agents. We’re already seeing momentum around personal agents, DeFi agents, and agentic finance. Coinbase and OKX are both exploring this space, and DeFi agents like ours are gaining significant traction. I think this convergence of AI, DeFi, and institutional on-chain adoption will be one of the most exciting areas to watch over the next months and years.

Mahsa: Over the years, many people lost hope in crypto and left the space. What keeps you committed?

Gauthier: My mission has always been to make DeFi truly accessible. To achieve that, we need better user experiences, stronger security, and enough regulatory clarity for people to trust the space. I believe we’re finally approaching that stage. Historically, every transformative technology has needed frameworks before reaching mainstream adoption. Once those frameworks are in place, all the infrastructure we’ve been building over the last years will be ready. I believe that moment is coming within the next one to two years. Until then, we stay patient, keep building, and stay focused.

Mahsa: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?

Gauthier: ZyFAI has been focused on helping users maximize their capital across DeFi yield markets while maintaining security and control directly from their wallets. Even during recent market disruptions, our system has consistently rebalanced users toward stronger opportunities while prioritizing safety and risk-adjusted returns. Today, we’re launching something new called Agent Vaults. Until now, our technology primarily optimized individual wallets — but now anyone will be able to deploy their own vault and let an agent manage it dynamically. We’re launching it today, and I’ll be sharing more details on Twitter very soon.

Watch the interview on my YouTube Channel:

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About Crypto Diva

I’m already in the Future… Meet me there! Blockchain Technology is my passion and I have dedicated my career and research path to DeFi. My ultimate goal is to encourage more female professionals in the DeFi industry.

As the Sales and Marketing Manager of coinIX & COINVEST, I’ve got the privilege of being in close contact with Blockchain investment firms, as well as the innovative web3 projects which are creating the foundations the future financial world. I love to make the impossible possible and i’m willing to go the extra mile for that. Be my companion in my DeFi journey and I’ll show you everything.

Peace & Love,

Your Crypto Diva

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