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

Waves Founder Blames Short Sellers for Its Woes. Here's Why That's a Red Flag

To longtime finance observers, blaming shorts often looks like the last desperate deflection of a project in denial about its failures.

By David Z. MorrisApr 6, 2022

The WAVES smart-contract ecosystem has hit a rough patch. Its attempt to stop short selling might not be a sustainable solution. (Gabe LHeureux/ Getty Images)

Opinion

A New SEC Definition for ‘Exchanges’ Has Big Implications for Crypto

The crypto community should seize the opportunity to be heard as the SEC looks to expand its remit.

By Bill HughesApr 5, 2022

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Dontworry/Wikimedia Commons)

Finance

Parallel Finance Doubles Valuation in $5M Funding Round

The Polkadot-based lending platform is planning to raise up to another $60M this quarter.

By Brandy BetzApr 5, 2022

Videos

DeFi Lender Inverse to Repay Clients' Funds After Suffering $15.6M Exploit

Ethereum-based decentralized finance (DeFi) lender Inverse Finance was exploited for $15.6 million worth of cryptocurrency, just days after the $625 million hack of the Ronin network. “The Hash” panel discusses the seemingly unavoidable trend of DeFi hacks and how companies like Inverse Finance are taking measures to repay their customers' lost funds.

Apr 4, 2022

Policy

UK Aims to Become Global Crypto Hub, Exchequer Says

Among the initial steps will be legislation to recognize stablecoins as legitimate vehicles for payments.

By Camomile ShumbaApr 4, 2022

Markets

Frax Finance’s FXS Jumps as Terra Introduces Stablecoin Pool ‘4pool’

Liquidity from four major protocols would be used to make Curve’s 4pool attractive for users.

By Shaurya MalwaApr 4, 2022

Tech

DeFi Lender Inverse Finance Exploited for $15.6M

It is the third multimillion-dollar crypto attack to make headlines in recent days.

By Sam KesslerApr 2, 2022

Tech

Ola Finance Says Attackers Stole $4.7M in 'Re-Entrancy' Exploit

A post-mortem released Friday details how the heist occurred on Voltage, powered by Ola Finance.

By Shaurya MalwaApr 1, 2022

Videos

Crypto Markets React to EU Parliament Vote

Ben McMillan, IDX Digital Assets CIO, shares his bitcoin price outlook as the European Parliament passes a measure to outlaw anonymous crypto transactions. Plus, a conversation about Wall Street’s growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and why his firm is bullish on bitcoin for the future.

Mar 31, 2022