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.

Finance

ShapeShift Is Going Full DeFi to Lose KYC Rules

Erik Voorhees’ ShapeShift is morphing into a decentralized exchange (DEX). It's losing the KYC restrictions at the same time.

By William FoxleyJan 6, 2021

Finance

Origin Brings Back Interest-Earning OUSD Stablecoin Following $7M Hack

Origin is relaunching its yield-generating stablecoin following a November attack that drained OUSD holders of $7 million.

By Brady DaleJan 6, 2021

Markets

BitGo Launches Wrapped Bitcoin, Ether on Tron Blockchain

Nearly 100 DeFi-friendly WBTC have already been minted as TRC-20 tokens on Tron.

By Zack VoellJan 6, 2021

Markets

First Mover: As Bitcoin Rally Pauses, DeFi Keeps Astounding

Don't even think of using the term "DeFi winter," because DeFi might be hotter than last year's summer of DeFi.

By Bradley Keoun, Omkar GodboleJan 5, 2021

DeFi keeps getting hotter as bitcoin takes a refresher.

Markets

Crypto Long & Short: Looking Back on a Monumental Year

Four crypto industry experts share their biggest insights from 2020 and what they mean for 2021.

By Noelle AchesonJan 3, 2021

Markets

How DeFi 'Degens' Are Funding the Next Wave of Open-Source Development

Gitcoin's Kevin Owocki coins the phrase "regenerative finance" to describe the future of funding open-source development.

By Kevin OwockiDec 30, 2020

Gitcoin founder Kevin Owocki has been a long-time advocate for public goods funding in crypto.

Markets

Opyn Upgrade Aims to Add Capital Efficiency and Liquidity to DeFi Options Market

Options marketplace Opyn is rolling out an upgrade that targets capital efficiency and liquidity in the DeFi options market.

By Jaspreet KalraDec 29, 2020

Markets

Who Insures the Insurer? Cover Protocol Attack Exposes DeFi’s Promise and Peril

DeFi insurer Cover Protocol, designed to reduce smart-contract failure risks, was exploited by a bug in its smart contract on Monday morning.

By Michael J. CaseyDec 28, 2020

Tech

Cover Protocol May Launch New Token Following Attack

Cover Protocol announced it’s exploring launching a new COVER token after its current one was abused in a minting attack by a “white hat” hacker on Monday morning.

By David PanDec 28, 2020