DeFi

DeFi, short for decentralized finance, represents a shift in the financial sector by leveraging blockchain technology, primarily Ethereum, to eliminate traditional financial intermediaries. It enables various financial applications, from simple transactions to complex contracts, through smart contracts that execute automatically under specific conditions. Key DeFi applications include decentralized exchanges (DEXs), stablecoins, lending platforms, and prediction markets. DeFi offers financial services like loans and interest-earning opportunities without traditional identity verification, relying instead on collateral, usually in cryptocurrency. This innovative sector promises increased accessibility and efficiency but comes with risks, such as market volatility and unregulated projects.

Finance

Beanstalk Stablecoin Protocol 'Barn Raise' Aims to Restore $77M in Lost Funds

Beanstalk was hit by a $182 million flash-loan attack in April.

By Brandy BetzJun 2, 2022

Policy

DeFi 'Casino' May Need New Global Regulator, German Central Banker Says

Joachim Wuermeling called for immediate discussions on how to treat DeFi as the Financial Stability Board prepares a rule book for the crypto sector.

By Jack SchicklerJun 2, 2022

Debate rages on how to regulate decentralized finance. (Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)

Videos

DeFi Ledgers Can Help Regulators Oversee Sector: BIS Official

A new Bank for International Settlements (BIS) working paper makes a case for “embedded supervision” that argues regulatory oversight can be built into seemingly untamable decentralized finance (DeFi) systems. “The Hash” team discusses the feasibility of such supervision and regulating open finance.

Jun 1, 2022

Policy

DeFi Ledgers Can Help Regulators Oversee Sector, BIS Official Says

A new BIS working paper makes a case for "embedded supervision" that argues regulatory oversight can be built into seemingly untamable decentralized finance systems.

By Sandali Handagama, Jack SchicklerJun 1, 2022

Raphael Auer, head of the BIS Innovation Hub's Eurosystem Centre, argues that "embedded supervision" can change the game for DeFi regulation. (BIS)

Opinion

Why You Should Consider Pooling Support Behind DeFi’s PoolTogether

A class-action suit winding through New York’s court system is frivolous and counters crypto’s core principles.

By Daniel KuhnMay 31, 2022

Finance

CoinShares' Losses From Terra's Slide Hit $21.4M

Liquidating the digital asset firm's position was a "humbling lesson," the CEO said.

By Eliza GkritsiMay 31, 2022

Finance

Fireblocks Hires Former Bank of England Fintech Chief to Lead CBDC Efforts

Varun Paul will also engage with market infrastructure bodies to explore the benefits of supporting digital assets and participating in DeFi.

By Jamie CrawleyMay 31, 2022

Fireblocks sign at Miami airport during Bitcoin Miami conference 2022 (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Finance

Kava Onboards Sushi With $14M in Developer Incentive Funding

The integration will allow Sushi users and developers to have seamless access to the entire $300 billion market value of Ethereum and Cosmos from a single network.

By Aoyon AshrafMay 30, 2022

A kava farm (Scot NElson/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)

Finance

Siam Commercial Bank Is Chasing DeFi Yield Through Compound

The bank’s venture arm, SCB 10X, is using Compound Treasury’s 4% yield service via the Fireblocks custody platform.

By Ian AllisonMay 27, 2022

Bangkok, Thailand (Noom HH/Getty Images)

Tech

New Terra Blockchain Launch Expected Saturday, With LUNA Airdrop to Follow

The move is part of a broader plan to help revive the Terra ecosystem and its related tokens.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 27, 2022