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

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Slips as Infrastructure Bill With Crypto Tax Provision Heads to House

Bitcoin pulled back as traders digest regulatory developments in the U.S.

By Damanick Dantes, Frances YueAug 10, 2021

Bitcoin 24-hour price chart, CoinDesk 20

Tech

Crypto Panhandlers Beg Poly Network Attacker for Share of $613M Haul

First came the attack. Then came the moochers.

By Bradley KeounAug 10, 2021

Videos

NFTs Over DeFi: OpenSea Just Overtook Uniswap on Ethereum Usage

Are NFTs back? Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace OpenSea topped the leaderboard in gas consumption on the Ethereum blockchain, surpassing Ethereum's largest decentralized finance (DeFi) exchange Uniswap. Since last year, Uniswap has typically commanded the top spot. "The Hash" team discusses the industry implications for the rare flippening event and what it means for ether.

Aug 10, 2021

Videos

Largest Hack in Crypto History? $600M in Crypto Potentially Stolen From DeFi Platform Poly Network

Cross-chain decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Poly Network was attacked on Tuesday, with the alleged hacker draining roughly $600 million in crypto. This figure would place the Poly Network hack among the largest in crypto history. “The Hash” hosts discuss the implications for DeFi regulation amid U.S. lawmakers reining in on the digital asset sector.

Aug 10, 2021