DeFi platforms: elevating crypto trading and investing

DeFi platforms have transformed the landscape of cryptocurrency trading and investment, frequently offering returns that surpass those of comparable services in traditional finance. These platforms include services like lending, decentralized exchanges (DEXes), liquidity farming, yield aggregators and more.

The most common types of DeFi platforms

• Lending platforms: Users deposit cryptocurrencies to earn interest or secure loans. These platforms offer competitive rates and attractive yields, with Total Value Locked (TVL) being a key reliability indicator. TVL measures the total amount of assets deposited in these platforms, indicating their popularity and trustworthiness. In DeFi, the lending process is generally more accessible than in traditional banking. It allows for bypassing the need for credit checks and extensive paperwork thanks to leveraging smart contract tech to facilitate and manage loans.

• Liquidity farming: Involves depositing crypto into liquidity pools to earn higher interest. A liquidity pool refers to a collection of funds locked in a smart contract, used to facilitate trading by providing liquidity. When it comes to liquidity farming, the annual percentage yield (APY) is a crucial metric, indicating the expected rate of return. Nevertheless, liquidity providers encounter risks such as impermanent loss, a situation arising when the value of assets changes from the time of their deposit. If these assets are withdrawn from the pool at a decreased value, it can result in a temporary loss.

• Yield aggregators: Automate the farming process across various platforms to optimize returns and save time. Choosing reputable aggregators with substantial liquidity pools is essential.

• Decentralized exchanges (DEXes): Platforms like Uniswap and PancakeSwap enable direct crypto swaps via smart contracts. Known for anonymity and ease of use, they derive liquidity from user-supplied pools. Transactions on DEXes incur gas fees paid in a blockchain’s native cryptocurrency. High gas fees can be a barrier, especially for small transactions, as the fees might outweigh the transaction’s benefits.  

• DEX aggregators: These platforms aggregate rates from multiple DEXes to ensure the best swap prices. DEX aggregators simplify the user experience by providing a single interface to access a wider range of trading options. 

Trading fees in DeFi

 Fees for trading on DEXes and various DeFi platforms differ significantly. While some platforms charge a percentage of the trade value, others might have fixed fees. Understanding these fee structures is crucial for traders to maximize their returns. Certain platforms provide discounts on fees to users who possess their native tokens or engage in governance activities.

Factors improving swapping experience

Enhancing the swapping experience in DeFi, especially on platforms like DEXes and DEX aggregators, involves considering several key factors:

• Gas fees: One of the primary considerations is the cost of gas fees, which are required for executing transactions on networks like Ethereum. Platforms that reduce or offset these fees can greatly improve the user experience.

• Liquidity: High liquidity ensures that large orders can be filled without significantly impacting the market price. Platforms with deeper liquidity pools provide better price stability and efficiency in executing trades.

• Cross-chain swaps: The ability to swap across different blockchains the trading possibilities and enhances user experience.

• Range of supported assets: A wide range of available cryptocurrencies and tokens for trading allows users to diversify their portfolio and access a broader market.

Swapping in Fusion mode via 1inch

1inch’s Fusion mode offers a seamless swapping experience, where gas fees are covered by resolvers filling the orders. This significantly enhances the whole DeFi swap experience since it eliminates the need for users to hold native tokens for gas payments. The mode also allows customizable order execution speeds and taps into a broad liquidity spectrum, including centralized exchanges.

Conclusion

DeFi presents diverse opportunities for profitable trading and income generation. Understanding nuances like gas fees is crucial. With challenges like gas fees on DEXes, innovations that eliminate gas fees for users can represent a new standard in swapping efficiency.