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

Polychain, Pantera Back $14M Funding Round for DeFi Derivatives Platform SynFutures

Bybit, Wintermute, CMS, Kronos and IOSG Ventures also kicked in.

By Eli TanJun 17, 2021

Tech

Institutional Investors Come to Polygon Amid Rising Ethereum Layer-2 Demand, Blockchain Data Shows

Questions remain about promised scalability improvement from Ethereum 2.0.

By Muyao ShenJun 16, 2021

Videos

BTC at Work on Ethereum?

With bitcoin prices retreating over the past month, crypto traders have increasingly tokenized BTC into synthetic versions compatible with the Ethereum blockchain, where they can be deposited for extra yield on decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. “All About Bitcoin” host Christine Lee breaks down today’s Chart of the Day.

Jun 16, 2021

Tech

'Free Money' Bug Hits DeFi Platform Alchemix

The bug resulted in roughly 2,000 ETH (or $4.8 million at today's prices) being returned to borrowers prematurely.

By Benjamin PowersJun 16, 2021

Markets

Decentralized Credit Protocol Goldfinch Raises $11M in Series A Funding

A16z led the round, which will enable the startup to build a network of lenders and borrowers and ramp up hiring.

By James RubinJun 16, 2021

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) co-founder Marc Andreessen

Markets

Kyber Network Announces Polygon Integration and Liquidity Mining Program

The Rainmaker program aims to bring more liquidity to Ethereum and Polygon-based decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems.

By Omkar GodboleJun 16, 2021

Videos

Crypto Derivatives Platform dYdX Raises $65M in Paradigm-Led Series C

dYdX, a San Francisco-based derivatives trading firm, has raised $65 million in its third funding round from crypto investment firm Paradigm and other market makers. “The Hash” panel takes a deep dive into the dYdX product and what this new development means for the world of decentralized finance (DeFi).

Jun 15, 2021

Finance