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

Valid Points: SEC Probes DeFi, Gas Fees Stabilize

Also: The rise of layer 2s and a comeback in total value locked (TVL) on Ethereum

(TEK IMAGE/SPL/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Plus)

Policy

State of Crypto: The SEC Takes on DeFi

The SEC’s investigation into DeFi platforms is unsurprising. The question is whether the U.S. regulator will bring charges.

Meritt Thomas/Unsplash

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried on Crypto's Future

29-year-old multi-billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, head of crypto exchange FTX, trading firm Alameda Research, decentralized finance (DeFi) project Serum, and now the new owner of options platform LedgerX, joins a special episode of “First Mover” to discuss his personal mission and vision for the crypto industry at large. Plus, insights into crypto regulation, leveraged tokens, DeFi, altcoins, Web 3.0, business partnerships, altruism, and utilitarianism.

Recent Videos

Finance

Cross-Chain Protocol DeBridge Gets $5.5M in Seed Funding Round Led by ParaFi Capital

The fresh injection of capital will go towards building the protocol’s infrastructure and decentralized services.

Suspension bridge

Finance

Former Huobi Exec Launches $25M Fund Seeking to Bridge CeFi, DeFi and the Metaverse

OP Crypto Capital and its funding vehicle aim to help founders build projects during their earliest stages.

Anastasia Taioglou/Unsplash

Finance

Moody’s Wants to Get Its Head Around DeFi

The credit-ratings giant is looking for staff to support research on DeFi, CBDCs, stablecoins, NFTs and other crypto-assets.

moody's

Finance

DeFi Projects Cover, Ruler Are Shutting Down After Development Team Exits

The price of both protocols’ tokens plunged on the news.

(Mike Labrum/Unsplash)

Policy

As More Consumers Bank With Crypto, Washington Sounds the Alarm: NY Times

The NYT says officials in D.C. are trying to figure out how to curb what they see as crypto’s potential dangers.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Aug. 31, 2021. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Tech

Loot Holders Get $51K AGLD Airdrop Because NFTs

An improbable, overnight rise has established a new token as a blockchain gaming heavyweight.

A bit of gold for holders of Loot. (János Venczák/Unsplash)

Learn

GameFi: How to Earn Crypto Playing Games Online

Online gaming is no longer just a pastime.

(Carol Yepes/Getty Images Plus)