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.

Opinion

The Fake Team That Made Solana DeFi Look Huge

We already knew that crypto developers cannot always be trusted. But can we even trust the data?

By David Z. MorrisAug 5, 2022

A new CoinDesk report reveals that a major Solana DeFi project was created not by 11 different developers, but two brothers who conducted an elaborate masquerade. (iStock/Getty Images)

Videos

Defining DeFi: How to Succeed in DeFi and Web 3 from Renowned Investors

Linda Lu (Oasis Network), Nikhil Sharma (Oasis), Haseeb Qureshi (Dragonfly Capital) and Kanav Kariya (Jump Crypto) join Oasis Labs Founder Dawn Song at Consensus 2022 to share their insights and outlook on how to succeed in DeFi. Plus, a conversation on why Oasis is revolutionary in this space. Moderator: Rachel Wolfson, Senior Reporter, Cointelegraph

Aug 4, 2022

Layer 2

Master of Anons: How a Crypto Developer Faked a DeFi Ecosystem

The Macalinao brothers used a web of bogus identities to create the illusion of a dev community, juicing value on the Saber protocol and Solana blockchain. Now they're moving to Aptos.

By Danny Nelson, Tracy WangAug 4, 2022

Ian Macalinao, one of the Saber brothers (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Videos

DeFi vs CeFi: The Search for Yield

Sidney Majalya, Chief Risk Officer at Binance.US, joins Radkl CEO Ryan Sheftel and Two Sigma Ventures' Partner Frances Schwiep at Consensus 2022 to discuss evaluating risks in the crypto market with reference to the debate between DeFi and CeFi. Moderator: Daniel Nelson, Managing Editor - News, CoinDesk

Aug 4, 2022

Learn

What Is SushiSwap? How to Get Started on the Crypto Exchange

The fully decentralized exchange allows users to swap Ethereum-based tokens for one another.

By Griffin McshaneAug 3, 2022

Finance

Here’s How $200M in Crypto Was Drained From Nomad Protocol, According to a Security Expert

Halborn Chief Information Security Officer Steven Walbroehl joined CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover” to discuss how Nomad’s bridge lost $200 million in less than 24 hours.

By Fran VelasquezAug 2, 2022

Nearly $200 million was drained from cross chain messaging protocol Nomad. (Isravel Raj via Unsplash)

Finance

Lending Platform Vires.Finance Gets Go-Ahead for Repayment Plan

Waves governance token holders have voted to give investors a choice between moving forward with withdrawal requests or waiting until market conditions improve.

By Elizabeth NapolitanoAug 2, 2022

Tech

Ankr Introduces Token-Staking Tool Kits for Yield-Hunting Communities

The product will initially be offered on Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, and Fantom networks.

By Shaurya MalwaAug 2, 2022

Finance

Sygnum Bank Expands Staking to Cardano

Cardano's ADA joins Ethereum's ETH, Internet Computer's ICP and Tezos' YTZ in the firm's staking offerings, which are integrated with its banking platform.

By Jamie CrawleyAug 2, 2022