DeFi Education

DeFi Education covers decentralized finance (DeFi), explaining essential concepts, risks, and opportunities. It provides terminology glossaries, valuation methods, security best practices, and market insights. Content includes project-specific analyses, general DeFi strategies, Q&A sessions, and market updates, aiming to inform and guide new and experienced investors.

DeFi Basics Investment Strategies Crypto Projects Market Insights Security Practices Community Engagement

The hottest Substack posts of DeFi Education

And their main takeaways

Arbitrum Airdrop: How to play it (even if you missed it!)

959 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🔮 Crypto Airdrops Tokens Trading Blockchain Decentralized Finance
  1. The Arbitrum airdrop is launching on March 23, 2023, and the token is called ARB. Make sure not to buy the wrong token before it's officially available.
  2. To be eligible for the airdrop, you had to complete certain actions in the Arbitrum ecosystem before February 6, 2023. Checking your eligibility is easy—just connect your wallet to their official website.
  3. The token distribution includes a large portion going to the DAO treasury and team, while a small percentage goes to the airdrop eligible wallets. It's good to know how these tokens are being allocated.

Staking Ethereum and Safe Wallets

659 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Wallets Staking DeFi Security
  1. Using hardware wallets like Trezor is recommended for better security. Metamask is also a good software wallet, but be cautious with privacy.
  2. Solo staking is the best option if you have the technical skills and resources. It offers full control and rewards, but requires a lot of maintenance.
  3. If you prefer not to manage everything yourself, consider pooled staking services like Rocket Pool. They can simplify the process but come with some extra risks.

Caution: Hack Impacting Crypto-Savvy Users (+ Market Update)

839 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Security Wallets Tokens Market
  1. There is a troubling trend of hacks affecting experienced crypto users, including early Ethereum wallet holders. These users are usually security-conscious, which raises questions about how the hacks are happening.
  2. The hacks started in December 2022 and have resulted in over $10 million in stolen assets across multiple chains. A wide variety of wallets have been targeted without a clear pattern emerging.
  3. Even users of hardware wallets are not safe from these hacks. It's crucial to understand how crypto transactions work to really protect your assets, as malware can trick you into signing bad transactions.

No More Sandwiches

779 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Trading Blockchain Finance Smart Contracts
  1. MEV, or Maximum Extractable Value, allows bots to profit by reordering transactions on the Ethereum network. This means they can buy what you want to buy before you, and then sell it back to you at a higher price.
  2. Sandwich attacks are when these bots place their transactions around yours, making them 'sandwich' your transaction and causing you to pay more. They monitor your trade and act quickly to exploit pricing changes.
  3. To protect yourself from these attacks, use decentralized exchanges (DEX) that have RFQ technology or aggregators. They help you get the best price without being targeted by these bots.

DeFi: In Simple Photos and How to Make Your First Transaction!

3636 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Finance Investing Technology
  1. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) offers better returns than traditional banking. You can earn more on your investments compared to the low interest rates from banks.
  2. Using decentralized exchanges allows you to trade assets directly with others, cutting out the middlemen like banks. This means you can have more control over your money.
  3. While there are great opportunities in DeFi, be careful as there are many scams. Always research projects and use established protocols to protect your investment.
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Curve Exploited! DeFi in Danger from Bad Debt?

559 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Investing Technology Finance
  1. Curve's founder borrowed a large amount of money secured by a significant percentage of CRV tokens. This means a lot of the circulating tokens are tied up in loans.
  2. The recent exploits have raised concerns about the health of decentralized finance (DeFi). Many people worry about 'bad debt' affecting the entire system.
  3. The specific loan at Frax finance has reached a full utilization rate, indicating that all available credit is in use and shows the strain on this lending platform.

This Time is Different

639 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investing DeFi Market Trends Regulations
  1. Bitcoin's value is over $30,000 again and is growing, showing strong interest in crypto.
  2. Although the crypto market is buzzing with energy and institutional support, social media activity seems quiet, possibly due to summer vacations.
  3. It's important to stay informed and engaged with the crypto world, even if there are quiet periods.

The Last Laptop You'll Ever Need For Crypto

1019 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Security Hardware Software Finance Education
  1. Many people have lost lots of money in crypto scams, and hackers are getting smart. Good security is super important for keeping your money safe.
  2. There's a new laptop designed specifically for crypto security. It uses special software and tools to protect your data and makes it easier to use safely.
  3. This laptop isn't for everyone—it's aimed at serious users like business owners and developers who handle a lot of money. If you're not tech-savvy, it could save you headaches.

Uniswap v4 at a Glance (+Vitalik Post)

659 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Ethereum Blockchain Wallets Smart Contracts
  1. Uniswap v4 introduces new features like programmable 'hooks' that allow developers to customize trading pools. This means more flexibility for creating unique trading tools within the platform.
  2. The transition to smart contract wallets could improve security for users, making it easier to manage funds without relying on centralized services.
  3. There's a growing concern in the crypto community about moving away from open-source projects, which might limit innovation and user freedom in the decentralized finance space.

Worldcoin - Aadhaar 2.0?

539 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Cryptocurrencies Digital Identity Decentralization Smart Contracts
  1. Worldcoin is being launched globally, except in the U.S. because of regulatory issues. This makes its rollout more complicated in the U.S. market.
  2. The project is compared to India's Aadhaar, which is a large biometric identity program. Both systems aim to provide a digital identity, but their approaches might differ.
  3. There are concerns about privacy and security related to biometric data in both Worldcoin and Aadhaar. People are worried about how their personal data will be used.

What to Buy: Seasoned Coins vs. Fresh Launches

799 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Tokens Markets Investing Blockchain Risk management
  1. There are many coins available, but creating a successful one is tough. It needs to be used and well-liked for it to last.
  2. Older coins often struggle to survive, but some can still thrive years later. You have time to research and pick the right ones now.
  3. Investing in new coins can be risky. You need to be ready to hold on for a while, even if the value drops before it might rise again.

What To Do When Banks Stop Fiat Withdrawals

1039 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Exchanges Investing Regulations
  1. Banks are becoming stricter about crypto transactions, making it hard for users to withdraw USD or deposit new money to buy crypto.
  2. It's smart to use a separate bank account for crypto-related transactions to avoid issues with your main bank account.
  3. Using a decentralized exchange (DEX) like Bisq can help you trade crypto and fiat more safely and securely, even during limited banking access.

What Is DWF Labs, Really?

419 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🔮 Crypto Market Making DeFi Investment Tokens Governance
  1. DWF Labs is a key player in the crypto market, investing heavily even when other investors are pulling back. They reported investing $149 million in the first quarter of 2023.
  2. The firm has been involved in important DeFi deals, like buying $5 million of CRV tokens to help Curve Finance and proposing market making agreements with other projects.
  3. DWF Labs' bold investments raise questions about their funding sources and their reasons for such confidence in a tough market.

The Small Short

739 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investing Market Trends Decentralized Finance Memecoins
  1. The Ethereum Foundation has started selling Ether again, which can impact its price. Pay attention to their activities.
  2. A previous prediction about Bitcoin's price range suggested it peaked at $31,000, advising caution for those who invested earlier.
  3. Memecoins like PEPE are gaining crazy popularity again, indicating a lively but risky market.

Billion Dollar Brawls

579 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Investing Legal Market Trends Corporate Governance
  1. Corporate disputes often stay focused on the companies involved rather than personal attacks. It's usually safer for individuals to keep their personal lives out of these brawls.
  2. When personal details are revealed during corporate fights, it can make things messy. Wealthy people prefer to keep their personal and financial lives private.
  3. Going after someone personally in a business conflict is rare because it can lead to unwanted public attention and legal trouble. People tend to respect boundaries in these situations.

Regulatory Update: Recent Developments Impacting DeFi

779 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Regulation Compliance Exchanges Market Trends Risk Assessment
  1. Recent SEC actions indicate a tough regulation for crypto exchanges in the US. Companies like Coinbase and Bittrex are facing serious legal challenges for not complying with registration rules.
  2. John Reed Stark, a former SEC official, predicts that many crypto exchanges may need to shut down or change how they operate in the US.
  3. Regulations are becoming a big deal in the crypto industry, and companies will have to work hard to comply with new rules to stay in business.

DeFi Ed July Q&A

1598 implied HN points • 19 Jul 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Investing Regulation Market Trends
  1. The DeFi Ed team offers a monthly Q&A session where subscribers can ask about DeFi and crypto topics. It's a great chance to clarify any doubts you have.
  2. Participants can also suggest future content ideas during this Q&A. This means you can directly influence what topics get covered next.
  3. Feedback is welcome during the session, so feel free to share your thoughts on past content and what you’d like to see improved.

Unlawful Solicitation

619 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🔮 Crypto Investing Regulation Exchanges Market Trends Security
  1. The SEC has accused Binance of running a deceptive operation that included misleading American customers while secretly welcoming them. They likened this to a classic street scam called three-card monte.
  2. Binance and its founder are facing serious allegations, including operating without proper licenses and manipulating customer assets. The SEC is seeking actions like asset freezes and accounting verification.
  3. Binance has stated they plan to fight the SEC's allegations, claiming they have always aimed to follow the law and innovate within the regulatory framework.

DeFi Education Q&A (August Q&A)

459 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Finance Investing Technology
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from professionals in finance and software. It's a chance to learn from people who know a lot about these topics.
  2. These sessions are held monthly, giving subscribers the opportunity to ask questions and get answers regularly.
  3. Participation requires a paid subscription, which ensures that the information shared is valuable and exclusive.

Introducing LizardOS: The Ultimate Software Solution for Crypto Security

759 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Security Software Digital Assets Blockchain Privacy
  1. LizardOS is a new software designed for crypto security that focuses on privacy and ease of access. You can buy it with Bitcoin and you don't need to give any shipping details.
  2. The software guarantees a genuine version with tamper-free installation, backed by a digital signature from the creators. This ensures that you get the real deal.
  3. Currently, LizardOS only works with specific Lenovo laptops and is not compatible with Macs. If you want to use it, you need to buy the right hardware separately.

FTX is Coming for Customer Assets

399 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🔮 Crypto Exchanges Bankruptcy Investments Regulations Fraud
  1. FTX filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, which affected many customers. It was a significant moment for the cryptocurrency world.
  2. A lot of money has been spent on legal fees since then, which reduces what could be given back to customers. This makes the situation worse for those who lost money.
  3. FTX recently released a lengthy presentation about their progress since filing for bankruptcy, likely to keep customers informed.

Base!

439 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Digital Assets Decentralization Market Trends Exchanges
  1. Coinbase has a large user base with over 100 million registered users, making it a key player in the crypto market in the U.S.
  2. Although many of the registered users may not use the platform actively each month, the sheer number still highlights CoinBase's reach.
  3. When launching a new product, having good distribution is crucial, and Coinbase sets a strong example of this in the crypto space.

DeFi Education's Holiday Book List

1079 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
💰 Finance Investing Books Markets Economic History Venture Capital
  1. Reading is important for investors. It helps you understand new information and gain different viewpoints.
  2. The recommended book list includes diverse topics, not just crypto, to foster a well-rounded understanding of finance and business.
  3. Books like 'Digital Minimalism' and others help readers refine their focus and learn important historical lessons about money.

Level Up Your Transaction Security

699 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Security Phishing Best Practices
  1. To keep your crypto safe, create a cold wallet for most of your assets and an 'ape wallet' for riskier activities. This way, you limit exposure to potential threats.
  2. Minimize the transactions you make with your main wallet to reduce risk. Only use it for important tasks to stay secure.
  3. Be aware of phishing scams and how they work. Educate yourself so you can recognize and avoid falling for them.

Demystifying Liquid Staking Derivatives

919 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Staking Tokens Investment
  1. Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSDs) allow users to trade tokens that represent staked ETH, giving them easier access to their funds without waiting for upgrades.
  2. Staking directly as a validator helps keep Ethereum decentralized and users can earn yield, but it requires technical skills and a minimum of 32 ETH.
  3. Using a staking service adds risks, so it's safer to stake directly if possible, but many users may choose LSDs for convenience.

Navigating Shark-Infested Waters

699 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💰 Finance Investing Markets Hedge Funds Private Equity Retail Investors
  1. Investing is competitive and risky, with many players trying to outsmart each other. It's important to understand that not everyone has your best interests at heart.
  2. Retail investors often lose money compared to professional institutions, which have more resources and experience. In 2022, retail investors faced significant losses, while hedge funds did much better.
  3. Market sentiment on social media can be misleading. Institutions keep a close eye on retail investors, and their decision-making is often based on a much broader set of information and strategies.

Celsius 2.0, FTX 2.0, Market Update 2.0

599 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🔮 Crypto Market Trends Investing Blockchain Bankruptcy DeFi
  1. In times of panic or excitement, people often follow the crowd instead of thinking independently. This can lead to poor investment decisions.
  2. A group called Fahrenheit has plans to manage the assets of bankrupt company Celsius and even seeks to take it public. They will focus on funding operations and investing in cryptocurrency loans.
  3. The proposed restructuring includes managing assets like cryptocurrencies, loans, and investments, but it's still uncertain what will happen to the customers and depositors of Celsius.

Wartime vs Peacetime Markets

1678 implied HN points • 13 May 22
💰 Finance Investing Market Trends Economic Analysis Speculation
  1. Wartime markets involve high uncertainty and crisis, while peacetime markets are steadier and more stable. Investors often react differently in these two types of markets.
  2. In wartime markets, risk and volatility increase, leading to caution in investment strategies. People may prioritize safety over growth during uncertain times.
  3. Peacetime markets typically see growth and optimism, making it easier for tech and other sectors to thrive. Investors tend to take more risks when the market conditions are favorable.

The Next Big Airdrop and What the FOMC Means for Crypto

739 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🔮 Crypto Airdrops Market Trends Regulations Investments Exchanges
  1. Recent bank collapses have shaken the financial system, making people more aware of crypto's role. This seems to be causing more interest in cryptocurrencies.
  2. Big events like the ARB airdrop and the arrest of the Luna founder highlight that there are constant changes and opportunities in the crypto market.
  3. The FOMC meetings can affect crypto prices, so it's important for investors to stay informed about these economic updates.

Should You Leave Metamask?

599 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🔮 Crypto Digital Assets Blockchain Cryptocurrency DeFi Security
  1. There are many safety concerns about using Metamask and Ledger in the crypto space. Users need to be aware of these issues to protect their assets.
  2. Metamask has updated its terms, which could affect how users interact with the platform. It's important for users to stay informed about these changes.
  3. There are alternative options to Metamask that might be safer or better suited for some users. Exploring these alternatives can help individuals find a solution that meets their needs.

So, you messed up.

1019 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🔮 Crypto Investing Risk management Market Analysis Financial planning Personal Finance
  1. Everyone makes mistakes, especially in investing. It's important to learn from them and manage risk so you can keep moving forward.
  2. If you're struggling financially, focus on increasing your cash flow, cutting expenses, and working hard. It's important to adapt to the tough times.
  3. Don't assume that past market conditions will come back. Prepare for the future by managing risks and being smart about your investments.

DeFi Education Q&A (May 2023)

599 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Investing Finance Technology
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from experienced professionals in finance and crypto. This helps you stay informed and make smarter choices.
  2. You can also ask for research topics, and the team will either answer your questions right away or write a detailed post about it later.
  3. These sessions are a great way to connect with other crypto enthusiasts. You can share ideas and discuss trends with like-minded people.

DeFi Ed September Q&A

1179 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Fintech Investing Decentralization Digital Assets
  1. It's a monthly Q&A where DeFi Ed team answers questions about DeFi and crypto. You can ask anything you're curious about.
  2. You can also suggest topics for future content and give feedback to help improve their offerings.
  3. This session is for paid subscribers only, making it more exclusive and personal for those who contribute.

Introduction to crvUSD

459 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Stablecoins Blockchain Smart Contracts Investing
  1. Curve Finance is a platform that helps users swap cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins, and has launched a new stablecoin called crvUSD. This stablecoin is in beta testing and has gained over $100 million in total value locked.
  2. crvUSD introduces a unique 'soft liquidation' process that gradually adjusts collateral value instead of sudden sell-offs, which can protect users from significant losses when market conditions change.
  3. The crvUSD stablecoin will aim to maintain its value peg through smart contracts called PegKeepers and a dynamic borrowing rate system, but comes with inherent risks due to its newness and experimental nature.

UnblockFi

339 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Banking Investments Financial regulation
  1. BlockFi has officially confirmed its chapter 11 bankruptcy plan. They will be winding down operations under the control of creditors.
  2. Celsius's bankruptcy process is nearing completion, as creditors have agreed to the necessary steps.
  3. These updates highlight the ongoing issues within the cryptocurrency industry, especially related to financial management and customer trust.

The Disruptive Potential of On-chain Reputations

619 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Finance Identity Reputation
  1. On-chain reputation helps build trust by tracking the behavior and reliability of users in a blockchain network. This way, people can make informed decisions when interacting or transacting.
  2. On-chain identity is a unique digital representation of a person or entity, different from traditional IDs. It allows for privacy while providing a way to establish trustworthiness within decentralized systems.
  3. Using on-chain reputation might allow individuals from underbanked communities to access financial services, which they often struggle to obtain through traditional methods. It promotes inclusion in the financial system.

DeFi Ed August Q&A

1218 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Investing Markets Education
  1. This is a chance for everyone to ask questions about DeFi and crypto. It's open to both new and experienced people.
  2. The DeFi Ed team is ready to help with any topic related to markets or content suggestions.
  3. Feedback is welcome, so everyone can contribute to making the information better.