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.

Markets

Market Wrap: Cryptos Decline Amid Choppy Trading, DeFi Tokens Underperform

Aversion to risk remains as volatility returns to stocks and cryptos.

By Damanick DantesMay 20, 2022

Markets

No es solo LUNA: las aplicaciones DeFi de Terra han perdido $28.000 millones

Los inversores han abandonado en gran medida el ecosistema Terra, ahora evidente en los protocolos DeFi en la blockchain, y los analistas siguen siendo escépticos sobre sus perspectivas a largo plazo.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 20, 2022

Finance

DeFi Protocol iZUMi Finance Raises $30M, Launches Exchange

The funds were raised through the sale of bond vouchers and claims to back the new iZiSwap decentralized exchange.

By Brandy BetzMay 20, 2022

Markets

It’s Not Just LUNA. Terra’s DeFi Apps Have Hemorrhaged $28B

Investors have largely exited the Terra ecosystem – now evident in DeFi protocols on the blockchain – and analysts remain skeptical about its long-term prospects.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 20, 2022

Finance

SingularityNET, SingularityDAO Receive $25M to Accelerate AI-Backed DeFi

Global investment group LDA Capital committed the funds and will provide strategic support.

By Brandy BetzMay 19, 2022

Web 3's use of AI will present challenges. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Finance

Nomura’s Digital Division to Focus on Cryptocurrencies First, DeFi Later

Phase one of Nomura’s new digital-assets division will include the top 10 cryptocurrencies, with DeFi and NFTs further down the line.

By Ian AllisonMay 19, 2022

Finance

Institutional DeFi Enabler? Data Firm Kaiko Probes DEX Liquidity With New Product

The data feed unpacks what’s what in Uniswap, SushiSwap, Curve Finance and Balancer asset pools.

By Ian AllisonMay 19, 2022

Kaiko CEO Ambre Soubiran (CoinDesk archives)

Videos

Aave’s Decentralized Social Media Platform Arrives on Polygon

DeFi lender Aave’s long-teased decentralized social media platform, Lens Protocol, is going live on the Polygon blockchain mainnet. Weeks ago, Aave founder Stani Kulechov was temporarily suspended from Twitter for proclaiming himself “interim CEO of Twitter.” “The Hash” team discusses the timing and the possible outcomes.

May 18, 2022

Videos

Robinhood Plans ‘Web 3’ Crypto Wallet for DeFi Traders, NFT Buyers

Robinhood plans to roll out a new standalone, self-custodial crypto wallet focused on DeFi by the end of 2022. The "Web 3 crypto wallet" will cater to more "advanced" crypto users, living separately from the trading firm's existing wallet. "The Hash" squad discusses the industry implications for Robinhood's latest move in the midst of market downturn.

May 18, 2022