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.


Videos

Pawn Your CryptoPunk: A New NFT DeFi Lending Market Blooms

A pawn shop for NFTs? Startup NFTfi is bringing collateralized lending to the fast-growing NFT market, providing a gateway to DeFi for retail investors. Users can mortgage their NFTs in exchange for other cryptocurrencies that can then be sold for cash. The service provides immediate liquidity to NFT holders who aren't yet ready to part with their CryptoPunks or Bored Apes. "The Hash" squad discusses the latest move signaling the growing demand for DeFi applications.

Recent Videos

Markets

China’s Bitcoin Ban May Be Bullish for DeFi – But Only Briefly

DeFi token prices surged amid the recent crackdown, but some insiders doubt it will last.

(Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Videos

Is China’s Crypto Crackdown an Opportunity for DeFi?

A price surge for the native tokens of leading decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols came as no surprise after China tightened its crackdown on crypto trading because DeFi trading platforms are, in theory, resistant to censorship. Still, ​some insiders doubt the price rally will last.

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Videos

Cross-Chain Wallet XDEFI Raises $6M to Take on MetaMask, Phantom

Following a $6 million funding round from leading blockchain VC firms and DeFi power users, XDEFI, a wallet that will allow users to interact with nine different blockchains, is looking to challenge incumbent MetaMask’s reign and newer upstarts like Phantom.

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Finance

Crypto Gains Ground in Latin America Amid Venture Capital Boom

Venture capital funds invested more than $6 billion in Latin America in the first half of 2021, versus $4 billion in all of 2020.

(Leon Overweel/Unsplash)

Videos

Bitcoin Eyes Biggest Monthly Price Decline Since May

Despite trading 2.8% higher Wednesday at $42,200, bitcoin is eyeing a 10% monthly decline, the biggest loss since May. Richard Johnson, founder and CEO of FINRA and SEC-registered broker-dealer Texture Capital, discusses his outlook for bitcoin, the potential impact of China's crypto ban on the markets, DeFi, and smart contract protocols.

Recent Videos

Finance

R3, Once Banking’s Blockchain Bet, Is Spinning Up a DeFi Token

As DeFi looks to compliance, “enterprise blockchain” sees an opportunity.

R3

Markets

Market Wrap: Traders Seek Protection as Crypto and Stocks Dip on US Debt Ceiling Impasse

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were lower on the threat of yet another federal government shutdown.

Bitcoin 24-hour chart (CoinDesk)

Finance

Ex-Revolut Exec Launches Governance Token With Backing From Galaxy Digital

Revolut’s former growth lead is turning his crypto project, Gro, into a DAO.

Hannes Graah, former president of Spotify Japan K.K., gestures as he speaks during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. Spotify Ltd. is bringing its popular online music service to Japan, a large and lucrative market where fans have demonstrated a continuing fondness for CDs and even vinyl records. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tech

An Update on the ‘Erroneously High’ Gas Fee That Temporarily Cost DeversiFi $23.7M

Forget the scammers; crypto has its heartwarming stories, too.

Puppy dogs and ice cream. (Christian Bowen/Unsplash)