1. Basics of DeFi

In the rapidly evolving financial world, DeFi (Decentralized Finance) is making waves. DeFi represents a revolutionary approach to traditional finance, leveraging blockchain technology to create a more open, accessible, and transparent financial ecosystem.

At its core, DeFi aims to eliminate the need for traditional financial intermediaries such as banks, brokers, and clearinghouses. Instead, it relies on smart contracts—self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. These smart contracts are stored on a blockchain, a distributed ledger that ensures transparency, immutability, and security.

A prime example of DeFi in action is MakerDAO, a pioneering project in the DeFi space. In the MakerDAO system, users collateralize cryptocurrencies like Ethereum to generate a stablecoin called DAI. The entire process is automated through smart contracts, bypassing traditional financial institutions for credit assessment and fund allocation. Once assets are collateralized, smart contracts generate DAI based on predefined rules. Repayment and redemption of collateralized assets are also handled automatically, showcasing a typical DeFi model powered by smart contracts.

Image Source:https://docs.makerdao.com/getting-started/maker-protocol-101

2. Key Components of DeFi

(1) Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs)

Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs)
Decentralized exchanges eliminate the need for centralized intermediaries by using Automated Market Maker (AMM) algorithms to facilitate trading. In this model, liquidity providers deposit funds into liquidity pools, which typically consist of paired cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH) and Tether (USDT). The ratio of assets in the pool determines the trading price, following mathematical formulas such as the Constant Product Market Maker Model.

When a trader initiates a trade (e.g., exchanging ETH for USDT), the system automatically calculates the exchange rate based on the current asset ratios in the pool using the AMM algorithm. Unlike centralized exchanges, DEXs give users full control over their assets. Users retain their private keys throughout the trading process, significantly reducing the risk of asset misappropriation or hacking.

Image Source:https://dune.com/hagaetc/dex-metrics

Uniswap, a leading DEX, pioneered the automated market maker (AMM) model on the Ethereum blockchain, offering a simple yet efficient trading interface that supports a wide range of crypto assets. Its accessibility has attracted a large user base and fostered developer engagement. Meanwhile, Curve specializes in stablecoin trading, addressing slippage issues with optimized algorithms. By leveraging a unique weighted average mechanism, Curve dynamically adjusts trading weights based on liquidity and price volatility, enabling users to swap stablecoins at near-optimal prices. This enhances both trading efficiency and user experience.

(2) Lending Platform
DeFi lending platforms enable peer-to-peer lending without traditional banks. Depositors lock their crypto assets into lending pools, earning interest based on market supply and demand. Borrowers must collateralize crypto assets, typically exceeding the loan amount, to ensure financial security. Smart contracts handle loan disbursement, repayment, and collateral release automatically.

Unlike traditional banks with fixed or semi-fixed interest rates, DeFi platforms offer dynamic interest rates. These rates adjust in real-time based on the supply and demand of funds in the lending pool. When funds are abundant, rates decrease to encourage borrowing; when funds are scarce, rates increase to attract more deposits.

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Aave stands out for its innovative flash loan feature, which enables users to borrow funds instantly without collateral, as long as repayment and interest are settled within the same blockchain transaction. This opens up new opportunities for arbitrage and financial innovation, allowing traders and developers to capitalize on price discrepancies across decentralized exchanges. Meanwhile, Compound is favored for its transparent interest rate model and broad asset support. It facilitates the borrowing and lending of various mainstream cryptocurrencies, with a straightforward interest calculation system that allows users to easily assess their earnings or borrowing costs. This clarity empowers users to make informed financial decisions with confidence.

Image source:https://app.aave.com/

(3) Stablecoin

Stablecoins are designed to maintain a stable exchange ratio with a specific fiat currency or asset. For USD-pegged stablecoins, there are three common mechanisms to achieve this stability. The first type is fiat-collateralized, such as Tether (USDT), which is backed by real U.S. dollar reserves. Each USDT issued corresponds to one U.S. dollar held in a bank account, with regular audits ensuring reserve adequacy. The second type is crypto-collateralized, exemplified by DAI. Users must collateralize Ethereum or other crypto assets, and smart contracts regulate the supply of DAI based on the value of these collateralized assets and market fluctuations. This mechanism helps maintain a 1:1 peg to the U.S. dollar. The third type is algorithmic stablecoins, which are not backed by tangible assets but instead rely on smart contract algorithms to adjust supply dynamically. By issuing or burning tokens based on market demand, these stablecoins aim to maintain price stability. A notable example is Ampleforth.

Image Source:https://dune.com/milkroadpro/stablecoins

In addition to USDT and DAI, USD Coin (USDC) is another widely recognized stablecoin. Jointly issued by Circle and Coinbase, USDC is backed by reserve assets that are subject to strict regulatory oversight and regular audits, ensuring high transparency. Compared to USDT, USDC offers stronger compliance, making it the preferred choice for financial institutions and corporate users with higher regulatory requirements. On the other hand, DAI, with its decentralized, crypto-collateralized model, aligns more closely with the principles of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). It grants users greater autonomy and is widely utilized in advanced financial operations and smart contract interactions within DeFi applications.

Features of DeFi

(1) Accessibility

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, providing financial services such as lending and trading to individuals in developing countries or those without bank accounts. This has the potential to drive financial inclusion for billions worldwide. In regions with weak financial infrastructure, such as parts of Africa, where many people lack access to traditional banking, DeFi offers an alternative. Through mobile internet access, users can participate in DeFi lending platforms, collateralizing small amounts of cryptocurrency to secure funds for daily expenses or business operations. By eliminating geographical and account-based restrictions, DeFi helps bridge the gap in financial accessibility and empowers individuals with greater economic opportunities.

(2) Transparency

Since all transactions are recorded on a public blockchain, Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ensures full transparency, allowing anyone to review transaction histories and protocol operations. This openness helps build trust among users. For example, in DeFi projects on the Ethereum blockchain, users can access detailed transaction data—such as timestamps, amounts, and counterparties—through blockchain explorers. Additionally, the smart contract code governing these protocols is publicly available for review. Platforms like Uniswap make all transaction data fully transparent, enabling users to verify that trades are executed according to predefined rules, thereby enhancing the credibility and security of the DeFi ecosystem.

(3) Lower Cost

Since Decentralized Finance (DeFi) eliminates the need for intermediaries, transaction costs are generally lower than those in traditional finance. This is particularly evident in cross-border remittances, where DeFi offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to conventional banking systems. Traditional cross-border transfers often involve high fees and a complex process requiring multiple intermediaries, leading to long processing times. In contrast, blockchain-based DeFi remittance solutions, such as Ripple, leverage XRP as a bridge currency to facilitate transfers. This approach significantly reduces transaction fees and shortens transfer times to just a few hours, greatly enhancing both the efficiency and affordability of cross-border fund movements.

Conclusion: Challenges Facing DeFi

DeFi faces key challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, security risks, and market volatility. From a regulatory perspective, DeFi operates in an evolving legal landscape where clear frameworks are still being developed. The lack of standardized definitions for cryptocurrencies and DeFi projects creates compliance difficulties for developers and raises concerns about user protection. On the security front, smart contracts remain vulnerable to exploits. Despite ongoing improvements in audit mechanisms, major incidents—such as The DAO hack in 2016 and attacks on smaller lending platforms in 2022—demonstrate that security breaches still occur. Regarding volatility, the inherent price fluctuations of cryptocurrencies impact DeFi assets. For example, in crypto-collateralized lending, a sharp drop in Bitcoin’s price can trigger forced liquidations, affecting lending platform liquidity and destabilizing the broader DeFi ecosystem.