Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, refers to a financial system built on blockchain technology that operates without traditional intermediaries like banks or brokers. DeFi platforms use smart contracts to offer services such as lending, borrowing, trading, and yield generation. These systems are typically open-source and accessible to anyone with a crypto wallet. While DeFi enables greater financial inclusion and innovation, it also carries risks related to smart contract vulnerabilities and market volatility. DeFi has become one of the most influential sectors in the crypto industry.
Nasdaq has partnered with crypto exchange Kraken to develop infrastructure for tokenized equities, aiming to connect traditional capital markets with blockchain-based trading systems.
Australian crypto exchange BTC Markets plans to apply for a license to offer tokenized real-world assets as institutional interest in tokenization accelerates globally.
Andreessen Horowitz is raising a fifth crypto-focused fund targeting $2 billion, amid declining venture activity and broader crypto market pressures.
A viral AI dystopia spoof is fueling debate across tech and crypto as automation-driven layoffs rise and projects promote user-owned AI agents as an alternative model.
Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel advocates euro-denominated stablecoins and wholesale CBDCs to support the euro’s global role and mitigate risks from USD-pegged counterparts.
Dragonfly has raised $650 million for its latest crypto venture fund, signaling sustained institutional confidence in Web3 infrastructure and long-term blockchain innovation.
Crypto advocates are countering Wall Street calls for a blanket ban on stablecoin yield as US lawmakers debate key provisions in pending market structure legislation.
Coinbase has launched Agentic Wallets designed to let artificial intelligence agents autonomously spend, trade and manage crypto assets onchain.
Ethereum is set to activate ERC-8004 on mainnet, introducing a standardized framework that allows AI agents to operate as economic actors across decentralized networks.
Animoca Brands Japan has partnered with RootstockLabs to introduce Bitcoin-native DeFi tools to Japanese corporations, focusing on regulated treasury management use cases.