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.

Tech

Sushi Tries to Pick Up the Pieces: A DeFi Governance Case Study

The popular automatic market maker is pushing an ambitious governance overhaul after months of infighting. What’s next?

By Andrew ThurmanDec 30, 2021

Sushi in flux. (Jakub Dziubak/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

21 Predictions for Crypto and Beyond in 2022

What comes after crypto’s biggest year ever?

By David Z. MorrisDec 30, 2021

Putting the "woo" in 2022. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Finance

Umee Buckles Down for Mainnet With $32M Token Sale on CoinList

CEO Brent Xu is leveraging his former life as a bond trader to build what he calls a “global debt hub.”

By Danny NelsonDec 30, 2021

The Open Intents Framework is a new initiative created by Ethereum ecosystem leaders to simplify and standardize cross-chain token transfers. (Akinori UEMURA/Unsplash)

Markets

Cardano, Avalanche Lead Crypto Decline in Volatile Trading Session

Altcoins posted a mixed performance as the crypto market declined ahead of a major options expiry for bitcoin on Friday.

By Shaurya MalwaDec 30, 2021

The crypto market has been sliding this week. (Pezibear/Pixabay)

Tech

Gas DAO Token Struggles to Maintain Momentum After Airdrop

The latest in an increasingly absurd trend has already found 26,000 claimants.

By Andrew ThurmanDec 29, 2021

Macho the dog demonstrates surfing-while-popping-balloon skills. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Finance

Aoki, Alameda Back Algorithmic Stablecoin on Arbitrum at $200M Valuation

Sperax said its USDs stablecoin will generate yield from users’ collateral.

By Danny NelsonDec 29, 2021

Algorithmic stablecoins seek balance through unconventional means. (eswaran arulkumar/Unsplash)

Layer 2

How Ethereum Will Be Transformed in 2022

Here are five of the top changes to expect with Ethereum’s impending transition to proof-of-stake.

By Edward OosterbaanDec 29, 2021

(MirageC/Moment/Getty Images)

Markets

Fantom Surges in Latest Layer 1 Bet

The rise comes even as the broader crypto market declines.

By Shaurya MalwaDec 29, 2021

ghosts, halloween

Finance

OpenDAO’s SOS Token Hits $250M Market Cap Despite Unclear Goals, Security Risks

Airdrops can kickstart a community, but that doesn’t mean they have staying power.

By Andrew ThurmanDec 28, 2021

(Kamil Pietrzak/Unsplash)

Finance

DeFi Portfolio Tracking Firm DeBank Raises $25M in Round Led by Sequoia China

The latest funding brings DeBank’s valuation to $200 million, according to the firm.

By Tanzeel AkhtarDec 28, 2021

CoinDesk placeholder image
of 302

Latest Crypto News

Today
8:38 PM
Positive
Bitcoin miners surge higher as Anthropic's fundraising efforts boost AI spirits
Anthropic is set to raise $20 billion in its latest funding round, double the amount it initially targeted, according to the FT.
6:52 PM
Neutral
Crypto faces fork in the road as Clarity Act support wavers, Bitwise says
The asset manager argued that without federal legislation, the industry has three years to become indispensable before political winds potentially shift.
5:23 PM
Negative
UK banks’ anti-crypto stance intensifies even as regulatory process moves forward
A crypto lobby group said it found "increased hostility" from British banks, casting a shadow over the global cryptocurrency leadership the country said it is vying for.

Newsletters

Newsletter thumbnail
CoinDesk Headlines
The biggest crypto news and ideas of the day.
Preview
By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy.