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.

Policy

Hester Peirce Warns Proposed SEC Reform of Securities Trading Platforms Could Threaten DeFi

"Crypto Mom" believes a new 654-page plan designed to add oversight to trading government securities could also allow new powers to scrutinize DeFi platforms.

By Jamie CrawleyFeb 1, 2022

Hester Peirce, commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), center, listens during a House Financial Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. The head of the SEC said this month his agency and other regulators are keeping taps on emerging risks in the fast-growing corporate debt market, highlighting assets that could he susceptible to liquidity shocks. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tech

Wonderland Founder: ‘I’m Here to Fix This and Make It All Back’

“Frog Nation” leader Daniele Sestagalli has received an improbable vote of confidence from Wonderland investors.

By Andrew ThurmanFeb 1, 2022

Down the rabbit hole? (Diane Picchiottino/Unsplash)

Tech

Address Linked to Wonderland's Sifu Cashes Out $5.5M Worth of Ether

Sifu is an alleged serial scammer who has previously been convicted.

By Eliza GkritsiFeb 1, 2022

Alice in Wonderland. (Wikimedia Commons)

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Stalls Below $40K, Analysts Point to Risks in DeFi

Some observers are concerned about a "crypto winter."

By Damanick Dantes, Angelique ChenJan 28, 2022

Rising risk makes investors more cautious (Shutterstock)

Learn

How to Pick the Right Play-to-Earn Game for You

A growing number of people are making money playing games in the world of GameFi, but it's important to be ready and do your research.

By Joe CortezJan 28, 2022

Markets

Anchor Protocol Reserves Slide as Money Market's Founder Talks Down Concerns

The reserves have slumped 50% in four weeks because of an imbalance between loan demand and deposits.

By Omkar GodboleJan 28, 2022

Markets

Tokens Related to Wonderland Developer Plunge After QuadrigaCX Revelation

Tokens of projects on the Avalanche and Ethereum networks started by Wonderland’s creator fell by as much as 22% in the past 24 hours.

By Shaurya MalwaJan 28, 2022

The price of TIME fell to as low as $290 on Thursday. (CoinGecko)

Markets

DeFi Protocol Qubit Finance Exploited for $80M

The attack is the seventh-largest DeFi exploit by the amount of funds stolen, data shows.

By Shaurya MalwaJan 28, 2022

Finance

DeFi Users Fret ‘Contagion’ Risk Amid Possible Stablecoin Depegging

Can the collapse of one stablecoin bring down a string of others?

By Andrew ThurmanJan 28, 2022

Opinion

The Privacy That DeFi Needs to Succeed

Mainstream adoption of DeFi tools will require far more secrecy, but not too much secrecy, and the right sort of secrecy, says CoinDesk columnist J.P. Koning. This post is part of CoinDesk's Privacy Week.

By JP KoningJan 27, 2022