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

Bitcoin Saw 27% October Surge as Traders 'Panic Bought' Amid Bitcoin ETF Enthusiasm. Is $40,000 Next?

The crypto rally was broad, as all CoinDesk sector indexes posted 7% to 32% advances.

By Krisztian SandorOct 31, 2023

Finance

DeFi Market Recovers From 30-Month Low as Volume Hits Highest Point Since March

Total value locked across DeFi protocols has risen from $35.8 billion to $42 billion in two weeks.

By Oliver KnightOct 30, 2023

Videos

CFTC Commissioner Mersinger Discusses Spot Bitcoin ETF Optimism, Crypto Regulation

As part of CoinDesk's State of Crypto 2023 event in Washington, D.C., CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger shares insights into the state of U.S. crypto regulation and also explains why she's "not surprised" about spot bitcoin ETF excitement fueling market optimism. Plus, Mersinger weighs in on the regulator recently targeting three decentralized finance (DeFi) operations and Binance renewing its push to fend off charges from the CFTC.

Oct 24, 2023

Finance

Solana's Largest Defi Protocol Marinade Starts Blocking UK Users

Marinade and Orca Finance have both blocked U.K. users over "compliance concerns."

By Oliver KnightOct 23, 2023

Marinade blocks U.K. users ( Georg Bommeli/Unsplash)

Videos

Crypto Spot Market Regulation Gap Unaddressed for 'Far Too Long': Former CFTC Commissioner Stump

As part of CoinDesk's State of Crypto Week, presented by Chainalysis, former CFTC commissioner Dawn Stump discusses her take on the biggest challenges and gaps in the U.S. crypto regulatory landscape. Plus, what lawmakers can do when it comes to overseeing the crypto spot market, industry implications of ether futures ETFs and the outlook for regulating decentralized finance (DeFi).

Oct 19, 2023