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.

Tech

Firelight Introduces XRP Staking for DeFi Insurance Layer Against Exploits

The new protocol, developed by Sentora and Flare Network, aims to combine XRP yield opportunity with offering protection against DeFi hacks.

By Krisztian Sandor, AI BoostDec 3, 2025

Markets

AAVE Rallies 14% as Bybit, Mantle Integration Connects DeFi Lender to 70M Users

The DeFi lender's native token broke above key resistance level, eyeing $190 as the next target level.

By CD Analytics, Krisztian SandorDec 2, 2025

AAVE Jumps 4.36% to $188.19 on Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Integration

Tech

Anthropic Research Shows AI Agents Are Closing In on Real DeFi Attack Capability

Models tested by MATS and the Anthropic Fellows program generated turnkey exploit scripts and identified fresh vulnerabilities, suggesting automated exploitation is becoming technically and economically viable.

By Sam ReynoldsDec 2, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (Markus Winkler/Unsplash)

Finance

Unlimit Debuts Stable.com, a Decentralized Clearing House Built for Stablecoins

The new non-custodial platform brings stablecoin swaps and global fiat off-ramps into one place, aiming to make the process more seamless for users.

By Will Canny, AI BoostDec 2, 2025

Stablecoin networks (Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

DeFi’s $55B Plunge Isn’t the Disaster It Looks Like

Despite a sharp $55 billion decline in total value locked since October, the DeFi sector remains structurally strong, with rising DEX activity and steadily growing protocol fundamentals.

By Oliver KnightNov 26, 2025

CoinDesk Indices

Crypto Long & Short: The Striking Dichotomy in DeFi Tokens Post 10/10

In this week’s Crypto Long & Short Newsletter, Martin Gaspar shares a snapshot of where we are post 10/10 and where potential opportunities from dislocations may lie. Then, we take a look at investor sentiment in the wake of the relentless market selloff — confusion, resolve and humility — with Andy Baehr’s “Vibe Check.

By Martin Gaspar, Andy Baehr, Francisco RodriguesNov 26, 2025

Markets

Crypto Leverage Hits Record High in Q3 as DeFi Dominance Reshapes Market Structure: Galaxy

Onchain lending drove crypto-collateralized debt to a new peak in last quarter, but the leverage underpinning the market is now better collateralized than during the previous cycle.

By Oliver Knight, AI BoostNov 19, 2025

Tech

The Protocol: Hyperliquid Introduces Proposal to Cut Fees

Also: Aerodrome Overhaul, Cloudflare Outage and dYdX Buyback Increase Approved.

By Margaux NijkerkNov 19, 2025

Waves at night (Shutterstock modified by CoinDesk)

Finance

DeFi Lender Aave to Roll Out Retail Crypto Yield App on Apple’s App Store

With the Aave App, users will be able to earn over 5% annual yield on their deposits, higher than money market funds, the protocol said in a blog post.

By Krisztian SandorNov 17, 2025