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.
Uniswap Labs Limits Access to Some Tokens
The software development studio cited an "evolving regulatory landscape" in making its decision.
Blockchain Protocol THORChain Suffers Another Hack Totaling $8M
Cross-chain decentralized exchange THORChain has been hit by another exploit, this time costing around $8 million. Last week, the protocol was drained of around 4,000 ether in a separate incident. “The Hash” panel discusses the potential risks of investing in DeFi as the sector becomes increasingly subject to major crypto hacks.
Thorchain's RUNE Token Tumbles After 2nd Exploit in 2 Weeks
The latest exploit cost the blockchain protocol $8 million.
Washington Should Let DeFi Succeed
Regulators should prosecute fraud, but also acknowledge the limits of their effectiveness and allow DeFi to mature.
Crypto Venture Studio Thesis Raises $21M to Keep Building
Thesis, the crypto incubator behind the Fold crypto rewards app and the decentralized Keep protocol, has raised $21 million in a Series A funding round led by Polychain Capital and others. Thesis CEO Matt Luongo discusses the studio’s plans following the raise.
Ethereum’s London Hard Fork Expected to Launch Aug. 4
MyEtherWallet COO Brian Norton discusses the long-awaited launch of Ethereum’s London hard fork, breaking down what the protocol update will mean for the Ethereum network and its users. Plus, his take on other bullish indicators to watch for ETH, fears of high gas prices in the DeFi market, and blockchain regulation.
First Decentralized Exchange Launches on Polkadot and Kusama Ecosystem
Karura Swap opened for trading with $3.4 million in total value locked.
Tron, Stuck in Polygon’s Shadow, Deserves Its Own Place in the Sun, Founder Says
Some DeFi projects on Tron apparently have quietly beaten their peers on Polygon and Ethereum.
BlockFi Is in Regulators' Crosshairs. DeFi Is Next
The DeFi industry should watch closely the regulatory actions taken against BlockFi and the securities questions being raised, CoinDesk columnist Preston Byrne writes.
Index Coop, Bankless DAO Team Up to Launch New Crypto Index
The BED token represents an even split of bitcoin, ether and Index Coop’s DeFi Pulse Index.
