DeFi isn’t dead, because DeFi isn’t the problem. The DeFi protocols work great and have solved real problems (eliminating middlemen to allow for cheaper and faster brokerage and banking for the masses).
The reason we keep having DeFi problems is because the assets in crypto suck. DeFi always fails when the assets used as collateral fail like:
- wrapping good assets over dangerous and untested bridges (most recent hack)
- using illiquid worthless tokens from unproven startups that can be manipulated (JELLY JELLY, Mango, etc)
- using 3rd tier stable coins with no liquidity or par stabilizing mechanism (USDe on 10/10, etc)
- having asset / liability mismatches where crap assets are lent to borrow good assets
There are only a handful of good tokens today that should be used as collateral (large stablecoins, BTC, ETH, the equity-like tokens of some profitable companies like $BNB, $PUMP, $HYPE, etc, tokenized debt and stocks, etc). When we expand the list of good tokens, then DeFi will expand as well. This includes:
- more tokenized stocks, bonds and real estate
- ownership tokens of assets like sports team
- project finance debt tokens issued by countries and municipalities
- quasi equity / utility tokens of companies with subscription services (Netflix, Disney, Spotify)
- tokens issued by universities (boosters and donors get a token, scholarships given out via tokens)
As always, the problem isn’t the rails, it’s the trains built on the rails. Just like blockchain and crypto wasn’t the problem when FTX, blockfi, Celsius and Genesis did dumb things…. Just like email and dollars aren’t the problem when Nigerian princes scam you…Just like the internet isn’t the problem when dark web services pop up.
Yes regulation will help, but most of this can’t be solved by the four horsemen of incompetence growing a backbone (exchanges, VCs, market makers and token issuers). Encourage and support better assets and stop giving dumb assets airtime and liquidity.