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

Fireblocks Deploys ‘Web3 Engine’ for Firms Eyeing GameFi, NFTs

The custody and wallet tech provider is looking to expand beyond institutions involved in DeFi to a broader developer community around gaming, social media and entertainment.

By Ian AllisonMay 17, 2022

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

Finance

S&P Global Ratings Forms DeFi Group to Build Out Crypto Framework

The credit rating giant named Chuck Mounts as chief DeFi officer to lead the unit.

By Michael BellusciMay 16, 2022

Wintermute, a prominent crypto market maker, plans to roll out a decentralized exchange. (Getty Images/iStockphoto).

Finance

Oasis Pro Raises $27M for Crypto Securities Trading Platform

CEO Pat LaVecchia, a former MakerDAO compliance adviser, said Oasis Pro is in the “early stages” of integrating with DeFi platforms.

By Danny NelsonMay 16, 2022

Oasis Pro Markets CEO Pat LaVecchia (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Policy

German Regulator Calls for New DeFi Laws

BaFin's Birgit Rodolphe cites the potential for fraud and investor losses.

By Jack Schickler, Jesse HamiltonMay 16, 2022

Skyscrapers in Frankfurt, Germany (lupengyu/Getty Images)

Finance

Teller Finance Diversifying DeFi With Travel Insurance

The firm's CreditFi platform lets USDC holders earn yield by lending capital to Koala Insurance.

By Ian AllisonMay 12, 2022

Travel insurance meets DeFi. (Nicole Geri/Unsplash)

Finance

PancakeSwap Aims to Reduce CAKE Supply and Increase Farming Rewards

The PancakeSwap team has proposed a supply cap alongside new features that will enhance the utility of its token.

By Oliver KnightMay 12, 2022

Markets

Terra-Based DeFi Protocol Anchor Proposes Cutting UST Yield Rates to 4%

The proposal comes amid ongoing concerns regarding the long-term stability of Terra tokens LUNA and UST.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 12, 2022

Tech

Bancor 3 Goes Live With Polygon, Yearn, Others as Partners

The new features aim to make DeFi staking easier for DAOs and their token holders.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 11, 2022

Videos

DeFi Locked Value Falls to Yearly Low, $27B Lost Over the Weekend

Value locked on decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols set 2022 lows this weekend amid a broader sell-off in global markets and waning interest in risk-on assets. Maxim Galash, CEO of DeFi yields platform Coinchange, discusses DeFi exploits, UST concerns, strategies for navigating the risks of open finance and more.

May 9, 2022