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

Possible Consequences for Lack of Digital Asset Regulation in the U.S.

Amid rapid evolution in the digital asset ecosystem, Rajeev Bamra, SVP of DeFi and Digital Assets at Moody’s Investors Service, underscores the importance of regulatory compliance. "The recent investigations and regulatory actions highlight the importance of compliance and risk controls," Bamra says, warning that lack of progress could "diminish the attractiveness of the United States for firms and investors."

Recent Videos

Finance

Raft’s R Stablecoin Surges as Traders Embrace Liquid Staking Ether Products

While Raft is centered around its R stablecoin backed by Lido’s stETH, the team has had ongoing conversations about introducing RAFT, an additional token intended to empower community members and help decentralize the protocol.

Raft's total value locked has crossed $55 million in roughly three weeks (DefiLlama).

Videos

Bitcoin Breaks $30,000; Fed Chair Powell Says Central Bank Needs ‘Robust’ Role Overseeing Stablecoins

Jennifer Sanansie gives a news update on "CoinDesk Daily." Bitcoin has broken $30,000 for the first time in over a year amid bullish sentiment in the market following a number of traditional finance (TradFi) players pushing further into crypto. Plus, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell argues for strong central-bank oversight in stablecoin regulations, saying "the ultimate source of credibility in money is the central bank," in front of the House Financial Services Committee. Separately, crypto exchange Binance will expand its zero-fee trading promotion to all trueUSD (TUSD) trading pairs starting June 30. And, decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure provider, Maverick Protocol, has raised $9 million in funding.

Recent Videos

Videos

Stablecoins, DeFi Could be in SEC’s Crosshairs Next, Berenberg Predicts

Stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) are likely to become the next targets in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s crackdown on the crypto industry, Berenberg said in a research report. This comes after the SEC said earlier this month that it was suing crypto exchange Binance, its founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and the operating company for Binance.US on allegations of violating federal securities laws. A day later it sued rival exchange Coinbase (COIN) on similar charges. The Hash" panel weighs in on the agency's approach to crypto regulation.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Markets

MakerDAO Boosts U.S. Treasury Holdings by $700M to Back DAI Stablecoin With Real-World Assets

The purchase is the latest step to increase the role of real-world assets in the platform’s DAI stablecoin reserve.

Rune Christensen, fundador de MakerDAO. (CoinDesk TV)

Videos

Stablecoins, DeFi Likely to Be SEC’s Next Targets in U.S. Crypto Crackdown: Berenberg

Analysts from Berenberg say that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could bring DeFi protocols and stablecoins, including tether and USD Coin, into regulatory compliance as the agency continues its crackdown on the crypto industry. CoinDesk Managing Editor of Global Policy and Regulation Nikhilesh De weighs in on the report.

CoinDesk placeholder image

Finance

Struct Finance Rolls Out Customizable Interest Rate Product for DeFi Users

The product will allow for traders to invest with both low and high risk appetites.

(Getty Images)

Finance

DeFi Protocol Maverick Raises $9M Led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund

The round also included contributions from Pantera Capital, Binance Labs, Coinbase Ventures and Apollo Crypto.

Funding, Fundraising

Tech

Arpa Network Goes Live on Ethereum Mainnet

Arpa Network will also initiate the minting of the remaining 500 million arpa (ARPA) tokens that have been reserved for staking rewards out of its max supply.

(Shubham Dhage/Unsplash)

Policy

Stablecoins, DeFi Likely to Be SEC’s Next Targets in U.S. Crypto Crackdown: Berenberg

If USD Coin is targeted by regulators, the impact on Coinbase revenue could be significant, the report said

Photo of the SEC logo on a building wall