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

How MakerDAO Works: A Video Explainer

An illustrated guide to the decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform MakerDAO and its tokens, MKR and DAI.

By Bailey Reutzel, Christine Kim, Brady DaleMay 30, 2019

Markets

DeFi Pioneer Compound Partners With Coinbase Wallet, Zerion for V2 Launch

For its Version 2 launch, crypto interest app Compound has partnerships with Coinbase Wallet, Zerion and a bridge to fellow DeFi leader Uniswap.

By Brady DaleMay 23, 2019

Markets

From Crypto Winter to DeFi: A Year of Loss and Opportunity

The year since the last Consensus event wasn't just a crypto winter. It also included impressive progress in blockchain evolution, writes Michael Casey.

By Michael J. CaseyMay 13, 2019

Markets

The Big Question at Ethereal Summit NY: Is DeFi Enough for Ethereum?

Day 1 of the ConsenSys-organized Ethereal Summit offered thoughts on the future of ethereum.

By Brady DaleMay 10, 2019

The crowd before Ethereal NY started in the morning, at Pioneer Works in Red Hook.

Markets

'A Loan Shark Situation': MakerDAO Is Leaving Crypto Borrowers With Rising Bills

With the DAI stability fee rising nearly 40-fold in three months, early borrowers are feeling the pinch.

By Brady DaleMay 8, 2019

Markets

Techstars-Backed Alkemi Enters DeFi Race With $16 Million Liquidity Pool

This new startup wants to plug exchanges, funds and other traditional players into the broader DeFi movement.

By Leigh CuenMay 1, 2019