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

Blockchain Security Firm CertiK Raises $24M in Funding Round

The company has now raised more than $70 million.

By Tanzeel AkhtarAug 17, 2021

Markets

Poly Network Hack Not Over as Attacker Prolongs Return of Funds

The attacker now says they are considering accepting the $500,000 bounty offered by Poly Network as a reward for returning the funds, and using it to pay anyone else who can hack the DeFi site.

By Nelson WangAug 16, 2021

Screengrab from message encoded into the Ethereum blockchain by the Poly Network attacker.

Markets

6 Reasons DeFi Will Stay Inefficient (and Profitable)

Traders assume the DeFi market will become more efficient over time, reducing arbitrage opportunities. But that may not be true.

By Jesus RodriguezAug 16, 2021

Markets

Solana, Terra Hit All-Time Highs as Markets Disregard Last Week’s DeFi Hacks

"Crypto natives have proven to be very resilient," one analyst said.

By Muyao ShenAug 16, 2021

Markets

Market Wrap: Ethereum Keeps Burning and Price Is Hot

The largest cryptocurrency by market value was trading close to its highest level in more than two months

By Bradley Keoun, Frances YueAug 13, 2021

Videos

Pro-Crypto Advocate Rep. Darren Soto on Infrastructure Bill: ‘Ignorance Is Our Greatest Foe and Not Necessarily Partisanship’

Does crypto have a strong enough lobbying presence in D.C.? This week, the Senate passed the historic $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill without any crypto amendment, raising concerns about its controversial definition of “broker.”

Aug 13, 2021

Videos

Poly Network Hacker Returns Most of Stolen Funds, Refuses $500K Reward

The attacker behind the Poly Network hack who drained the decentralized finance (DeFi) platform of over $600 million in crypto has returned most of the stolen funds. Poly offered a $500,000 "Bug Bounty" reward to the hacker for returning the funds, but the hacker declined. "The Hash" panel discusses the ongoing drama around the largest hack in decentralized finance (DeFi) history and whether it appears to be coming to an end.

Aug 13, 2021