How DeFi Keeps Customers Safe From Centralized Meltdowns
By Shingo Lavine
Centralized crypto exchanges provided an easy and convenient way for consumers to invest in cryptocurrency. However, the focus on centralization also led to a disregard for consumer protection, resulting in major meltdowns that have affected millions of people and billions of dollars in assets. The failures of exchanges such as Voyager Digital, Celsius Network, FTX and others have demonstrated the risks of centralization in the crypto ecosystem. As a result, consumers are learning the hard lessons about the dangers of relying on centralized entities. It is crucial that the crypto community comes together to advocate for better protections and a shift towards decentralized options. In response to these issues, there has been a growing adoption of decentralized finance or DeFi, as a means of addressing the weaknesses of centralized exchanges.
Centralized Meltdowns aren’t Crypto’s Fault
It’s important to note, however, that centralized exchange meltdowns are not a result of the cryptocurrency itself, but rather the way that the exchanges operate. When centralized crypto platforms commingle crypto assets, take irresponsible risks, or simply commit fraud, it puts the customers’ assets at risk. In contrast, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms operate on a decentralized basis, meaning that there is no single entity in control of the funds. Decentralization also aligns more closely with the original design of cryptocurrency. This decentralization helps to protect customers from the risks associated with centralized platforms, as their assets are not held in a single, vulnerable location.
Enter decentralized finance, or DeFi. DeFi allows for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for centralized institutions. This means that customers can self-custody all of their crypto, eliminating the risk that comes from centralized platforms. DeFi allows for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries, providing increased security and control over one’s assets. DeFi platforms also offer enhanced transparency and reduced counterparty risk compared to centralized financial platforms, as they operate on a decentralized, open-source infrastructure. By embracing decentralized finance over centralized finance, customers can trade and participate in the cryptocurrency ecosystem with confidence, knowing that their assets are safe and secure.
The Core "Ethos" of DeFi: Decentralization and Self-Custody
In recent years, DeFi has seen significant development, making the experience of trading on decentralized exchanges just as easy as trading on traditional centralized exchanges (known as centralized finance or CeFi). In addition, DeFi provides access to a wide range of trading, yield, and other financial opportunities directly from a self-custody wallet. As decentralized exchanges continue to develop, it eliminates the dilemma that crypto markets have put users into — forcing them to choose between ease and accessibility of centralized platforms versus the safety and security that defi protocols can provide.
Decentralization and self-custody are at the core of the ethos of cryptocurrency and were a key part of the original vision of Bitcoin’s founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. By holding their own private keys and participating in decentralized networks, users can maintain control over their own assets and protect themselves from centralized finance platforms.
DeFi's Decentralized Infrastructure
One key aspect of DeFi that sets it apart from traditional financial institutions is the use of smart contracts which are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between parties being directly written into lines of code. These contracts are stored and replicated on a blockchain network replacing financial institutions and intermediaries ultimately protecting customers from centralized finance platforms.
This enables DeFi platforms to automate various financial processes, such as lending and borrowing, without the need for intermediaries. This not only increases the efficiency and speed of these processes, but also reduces the risk of fraud or mismanagement of customer deposits.
Centralized Lending Versus DeFi Lending
Centralized lending has been a major factor in the failure of companies such as Voyager, Celsius, and FTX. In particular, the commingling of deposits with company funds put these deposits at risk, as the company had the ability to use these funds for its own purposes rather than keeping them separate and secure. This lack of separation and oversight in these lending platforms contributed to the failures of these companies, causing customers to lose significant amounts of money.
By contrast, DeFi platforms operate on a decentralized basis, with smart contracts helping to ensure security and integrity. This decentralized approach helps to protect customers from the risks associated with centralized lending. While centralized lenders are opaque with risks being unclear, the blockchain is transparent and risks are more apparent allowing customers to be more informed about their financial decisions.
The Future of Crypto is Bright with DeFi
As decentralized finance and DeFi Protocols continue to grow and mature, it is clear that the future of cryptocurrency is bright. Customers can take advantage of the benefits of DeFi, including security, accessibility, and a wide range of financial opportunities, all while staying true to the decentralized roots of crypto.
DeFi offers a secure and accessible alternative to traditional centralized financial systems, allowing customers to trade and participate in a wide range of financial opportunities while maintaining control over their own assets. The decentralized nature of DeFi helps to protect customers from centralized meltdowns and allows them to fully embrace the benefits of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Managing Self-Custody with Ethos Magic Keys
One potential issue with self-custody is the risk of losing access to your private keys. Ethos has addressed this issue with the introduction of Ethos Magic Keys, which allow users to easily backup and restore their keys through the use of social guardians.
With Ethos Magic Keys, keys are sharded and backed up so that they can be recovered on any device. Social guardians help users keep their keys safe without the need for complex mnemonics or pass-phrases. This makes the experience of self-custody easy and accessible for everyone, allowing everyone to access the full potential of DeFi and the core promise of cryptocurrency.
By using Ethos Magic Keys, users can confidently manage their own self-custody without worrying about the risk of losing access to their keys. This is a crucial aspect of DeFi, as it allows users to fully embrace the decentralized nature of the platform and take control of their own assets. In this way, Ethos Magic Keys help to ensure that users can fully participate in the DeFi ecosystem and take advantage of all that it has to offer.
