BlockchainReporter’s DeFi section covers decentralized finance: lending and borrowing protocols, decentralized exchanges and aggregators, liquid staking, stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets and the exploits that hit the sector. About $90 billion was locked in DeFi protocols across all blockchains in October 2026, according to DefiLlama, with Ethereum holding more than half.
DeFi lets users trade, lend, borrow and earn yield through smart contracts instead of banks or brokers. Its largest protocols include Aave for lending, Uniswap for trading, Lido for staking and aggregators such as 1inch and Jupiter. The sector is also a frequent target for hackers, so we report exploits, recovery efforts and security research alongside new products.
What We Cover in DeFi News
- Protocols and products: stories such as the Aerodrome and Velodrome merger, PancakeSwap’s emissions cut and Hyperliquid’s lending launch.
- Exploits and security: reports on hacks and recoveries, including the Drift exploit, Kelp DAO’s lawsuit over the rsETH exploit and the UNCX vesting exploit.
- Institutional DeFi and tokenization: S&P Global’s risk assessments for DeFi vaults, Aave’s institutional lending proposal and our RWA tokenization news.
- Guides and reviews: our 1inch review, 1inch Wallet review and yield farming explained.
How to Use DeFi More Safely
Use protocols with a long track record and public audits, start with small amounts, check token approvals in your wallet regularly and be wary of yields far above the market. Even audited protocols can be exploited, and stablecoins and bridged tokens carry their own risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DeFi?
DeFi, or decentralized finance, is a set of financial services built on blockchains, mainly Ethereum, that run through smart contracts instead of banks or brokers. Users can trade on decentralized exchanges, lend and borrow, stake tokens and earn yield from a self-custodial wallet. About $90 billion was locked in DeFi protocols in October 2026, according to DefiLlama.
Where can I find reliable DeFi news?
Look for coverage that links to primary sources such as governance proposals, protocol announcements, audit reports and on-chain data from DefiLlama or block explorers. BlockchainReporter’s DeFi section reports on new products, governance votes, exploits and recoveries, and on institutional moves into DeFi, such as risk ratings for lending vaults and tokenized real-world assets.
Is DeFi safe?
DeFi carries risks that bank accounts do not: smart contract bugs, hacks, oracle failures, bridge exploits and the loss of funds through mistaken approvals or phishing. Exploits continued through 2026, including attacks on Drift and Kelp DAO. Using established, audited protocols, starting small and reviewing wallet approvals reduces the risk but does not remove it.
