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

How a ‘Lazy Robot’ Might Solve a Big Problem for Crypto’s Whale Traders

Big trades can spook the market unless the trader can effectively signal they aren't trying to scare anyone.

By Brady DaleAug 5, 2021

Paradigm's time-weighted automated market maker (TWAMM) pretends to take a bunch of actions but actually does as little as it can get away with.

Markets

Telecoms Giant Swisscom Launches Chainlink Node for DeFi Data

Swisscom joins Deutsche Telekom in providing data to the oracle service.

By Tanzeel AkhtarAug 5, 2021

Markets

A16z, BlockTower, Alameda Back $12.5M Round for TrustToken

BlockTower Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Alameda Research led the round by purchasing TRU, TrueFi’s native token.

By Frances YueAug 4, 2021

Videos

EY Exec.: Gensler’s Aspen Speech a ‘Bullish Signal’ for DeFi

Paul Brody, Global Blockchain Leader at Ernst & Young, responded to SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s speech at the Aspen Security Forum, saying it signals bullish momentum for DeFi on the blockchain ecosystem. Plus, his take on the future of stablecoins, digital dollar, and crypto regulation.

Aug 4, 2021

Markets

Popsicle Finance Loses $20.7M in Cyberattack

The hack affected Popsicle's Sorbetto Fragola pool.

By Jamie CrawleyAug 4, 2021

Markets

Biggest DAOs Now Hold $6B Worth of Digital Assets: ConsenSys

More than $6 billion worth of digital assets are held in the 20 biggest DAOs, according to a report from ConsenSys.

By Tanzeel AkhtarAug 3, 2021

ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin (CoinDesk archives)

Markets

Sense Finance Raises $5.2M to Bring Yield Trading to DeFi

Dragonfly Capital led the funding round with participation including Robot Ventures and Bain Capital.

By Cheyenne LigonAug 3, 2021

Markets

Bitwise Launches Crypto Funds for Aave and Uniswap

The $1 billion digital assets manager said Wall Street-type clients are demanding more exposure to DeFi's biggest names.

By Danny NelsonAug 3, 2021

Bitwise celebrates its listing of the BITQ "Industry Innovators" index.

Podcasts

A Partial Victory in the Infrastructure Bill Battle

By Nathaniel WhittemoreAug 2, 2021

Videos

The Future of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network

Lightning Labs co-founder and CTO Olaoluwa Osuntokun, also known on social media as “Roasbeef,” discusses the future of bitcoin and the Lightning Network, which some hail as the most important project for the most crucial asset in the digital asset space. Plus, his take on DeFi on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Jul 30, 2021