Spark Pauses Plans for Mobile App as It Refocuses on DeFi Strengths

Decentralized finance leader Spark has decided to put its mobile app development on hold as the team shifts its attention back to its core strengths in DeFi infrastructure. Sam MacPherson, CEO of Phoenix Labs—the company behind Spark—confirmed the decision during an interview at Devconnect Buenos Aires, emphasizing that the competitive landscape for consumer-facing apps isn’t where the project sees its strongest advantage. According to MacPherson, Spark’s real edge lies in building “DeFi-native crypto” solutions rather than expanding into traditional consumer app territory.

Spark Protocol, which has grown to over $9 billion in total value locked based on DeFiLlama data, will instead intensify its focus on liquidity infrastructure. MacPherson highlighted the project’s recent $1 billion PYUSD liquidity initiative with PayPal as an example of the kind of institutional-driven deals the team plans to prioritize. The investment aims to deepen liquidity for PYUSD and enhance Spark’s role in large-scale financial integrations.

He explained that entering the mobile app market would require a clear competitive advantage—one the team does not see at the moment. Rather than risk diluting its efforts, Phoenix Labs prefers to strengthen what it already excels at, specifically liquid DeFi infrastructure and capital-efficient systems. MacPherson noted that many crypto projects make the mistake of spreading themselves too thin, an approach Spark intends to avoid.

While the mobile app isn’t canceled outright, it remains “paused for now.” Market conditions and opportunity signals will determine whether development resumes in the future. MacPherson also acknowledged the recent launch of Aave’s retail-focused yield app, calling it an exciting move but reiterating that the consumer space is crowded and highly competitive.

For now, Spark is doubling down on institutional partnerships and DeFi-focused innovation, positioning itself to grow within the sector it knows best while keeping the door open to mobile expansion when the timing feels right.