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

NFTs Over DeFi: OpenSea Just Overtook Uniswap on Ethereum Usage

Since last year, Uniswap has usually commanded the top spot.

CryptoPunks

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Rallies Above $42K as Bull Market Continues

Some analysts are optimistic about the broad crypto rally and see further upside, especially for ether.

Bitcoin 24-hour price chart

Markets

SEC Charges So-Called DeFi Company for Allegedly Fraudulent $30M Offering

This is the SEC's first securities case involving decentralized finance technology.

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Tech

Chainlink Unveils Crypto ‘Keepers’ and Anti-Fraud Blockchain Bridges

“Keepers” can do things like execute limit orders, liquidate under-collateralized loans or just remind a blockchain what time it is.

Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov

Markets

How a ‘Lazy Robot’ Might Solve a Big Problem for Crypto’s Whale Traders

Big trades can spook the market unless the trader can effectively signal they aren't trying to scare anyone.

Paradigm's time-weighted automated market maker (TWAMM) pretends to take a bunch of actions but actually does as little as it can get away with.

Markets

Telecoms Giant Swisscom Launches Chainlink Node for DeFi Data

Swisscom joins Deutsche Telekom in providing data to the oracle service.

switzerland-swiss-flag-bitcoin

Markets

A16z, BlockTower, Alameda Back $12.5M Round for TrustToken

BlockTower Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Alameda Research led the round by purchasing TRU, TrueFi’s native token.

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Videos

EY Exec.: Gensler’s Aspen Speech a ‘Bullish Signal’ for DeFi

Paul Brody, Global Blockchain Leader at Ernst & Young, responded to SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s speech at the Aspen Security Forum, saying it signals bullish momentum for DeFi on the blockchain ecosystem. Plus, his take on the future of stablecoins, digital dollar, and crypto regulation.

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Markets

Popsicle Finance Loses $20.7M in Cyberattack

The hack affected Popsicle's Sorbetto Fragola pool.

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Markets

Biggest DAOs Now Hold $6B Worth of Digital Assets: ConsenSys

More than $6 billion worth of digital assets are held in the 20 biggest DAOs, according to a report from ConsenSys.

ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin (CoinDesk archives)