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

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Tests $9K as Market Struggles With Uncertainty

After a quick dip in the crypto market, bitcoin is holding steady amid precariousness in the options market and the greater economic picture.

Source: CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index

Tech

Some Numbers That Show Why Yield Farming COMP Is So Seductive

COMP has created a sudden craze for "yield farming." Here are three scenarios illustrating the risks and rewards of DeFi's latest trend.

an honest yield farmer

Finance

This Startup Is Forking Compound to Make Hiring More Efficient

Braintrust launched out of stealth mode Wednesday, backed by a $6 million seed round featuring True Ventures, Homebrew Ventures, Uprising Ventures, Galaxy Digital, IDEO CoLab, Kindred Ventures and Vy Capital.

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Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Trading Flat, Holding at $9.6K

Trading volume in the crypto market weakened Tuesday but bitcoin is still holding strong from a recent rally.

Source: CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index

Tech

Following COMP's Surge, DeFi Platform Balancer Begins Distribution of BAL Tokens

Balancer Labs, the maker of an automated portfolio management tool, has confirmed to CoinDesk it has begun distribution of its BAL token.

(Niroworld/Shutterstock)

Markets

DeFi Protocols Should Act More Like Fiduciaries

Open protocols can help reform the financial system, says our columnist. But they need to come with safeguards consumers understand.

(Ryan Wilson/Unsplash)

Markets

Market Wrap: Bitcoin Hits $9.6K as Bullish Crypto Sentiment Returns

Bitcoin is back in bullish territory but can the buying last?

Source: CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index

Finance

DeFi Hedging Startup Opyn Raises $2.16M Seed Round Led by Dragonfly Capital

Opyn, a hedging instrument for decentralized finance (DeFi) has closed a $2.16 million funding round led by Dragonfly Capital.

(Benedek Alpar/Shutterstock)

Markets

Compound Tops MakerDAO, Now Has the Most Value Staked in DeFi

Compound has overthrown MakerDAO as the decentralized finance protocol with the most value staked, locking $484 million to Maker's $481 million on Saturday.

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Tech

DeFi Startups Built on Compound Weigh What to Do With $200 COMP Tokens

Startups built on Compound's decentralized lending protocol are now pondering the second-order effects of COMP's price surge.

The Banker's Table, 1877 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)