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Top 5 Decentralized Finance Trends to Expect in 2024: Analyst Insights

Top 5 Decentralized Finance Trends to Expect in 2024: Analyst Insights

The decentralized finance (DeFi) space is leaving the bear winter behind and entering a bull summer as industry interest continues to pick up and the market moves into incentive-driven growth that focuses on real utility and technological innovations.

Or at least, that is what experts in the DeFi space are saying.

A recent report published by Exponential found that the “latest indicators signal not just growth but a transformative shift” within the DeFi space with significant growth in interest in DeFi yields.

The total value locked (TVL) in yield-generating DeFi protocols has steadily increased from $26.5 billion in the third quarter of 2023 to $59.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024, according to the report.

Total Value Locked per Protocol Job.
Total Value Locked per Protocol Job. Source: Exponential.fi

This growth signifies a return of confidence and liquidity to the DeFi markets.

We spoke to experts to find out the latest DeFi trends for 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • The DeFi industry continues to evolve with $43 billion already locked in low-risk yield contracts, indicating a shift towards more stable and reliable investment avenues.
  • The merging of traditional financial systems with DeFi is a significant trend, with financial institutions expected to use DeFi innovations such as smart contracts and decentralized lending to improve their services.
  • The DeFi space faces potential regulatory hurdles, exemplified by the SEC’s actions against Uniswap.
  • The development of Layer-2 scaling solutions and crypto bridges are pivotal in enhancing transaction speeds and reducing costs, thus supporting the broader adoption of DeFi.
  • Increased international regulatory cooperation is likely to result in a unified global framework for digital assets, balancing innovation with financial stability and opening up new opportunities for the DeFi sector.

DeFi Industry Is Maturing

As central banks signal towards more rate cuts, the DeFi yields space is gaining significant popularity as an attractive investment form with DeFi markets maturing, Anndy Lian, an inter-governmental blockchain advisor, told Techopedia.

This was also backed by the Exponential report, which noted that over $43 billion were locked into very low-risk DeFi yield contracts.

75% of DeFi total value locked (TVL) is currently in pools offering 0-5% of annual percentage yield (APY).

Total Value Locked in DeFi Yield Markets.
Total Value Locked in DeFi Yield Markets. Source: Exponential.fi

Additionally, new trends in the market are pointing towards more mainstream adoption, with DeFi projects continuing to grow and integrate more and more with traditional finance.

Lian said:

“The focus [of the DeFi space in 2024] seems to be on sustainable growth, improved security, and real-world applications that could lead to wider acceptance and use of DeFi platforms.”

Igor Telyatnikov, CEO and co-founder of AlphaPoint, a digital asset and cryptocurrency trading and investing platform, added that with over $90 billion locked in DeFi protocols, the DeFi market could very much reach and even surpass previous heights of $150 billion locked as previously seen in 2021. He said:

“Despite the challenges faced, DeFi has continued to attract both developers and users, showcasing its ability to innovate and adapt. We are seeing a maturing ecosystem with more robust infrastructure, improved user experiences, and increasing collaboration among projects.”

Decentralized Finance Trends 2024

Over the last year, DeFi applications have undergone significant changes, with a number of new trends starting to show up in the industry, stemming from crypto bridges to a number of Layer-2 (L2) scaling solutions.

Here are some of the biggest DeFi trends experts are paying attention to in the second half of 2024.

1. Traditional Finance Integration

The traditional finance market entering the DeFi space is perhaps the biggest trend in the current DeFi landscape.

Lian noted that the integration of traditional markets into the DeFi space could become a “significant step towards a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem,” with traditional financial institutions expected to collaborate more closely with the DeFi space, utilizing features like smart contracts, tokenization, and decentralized lending to enhance their products and services.

Lian said:

“A growing number of financial institutions are projected to adopt DeFi solutions, with significant investments to streamline operations and offer innovative services. The 24/7 operational model of DeFi breaks down traditional barriers of time and geography, offering constant accessibility and borderless transaction capabilities.”

Telyatnikov added that as regulatory clarity improves, the DeFi space could see a lot of exploration of new use cases in collaboration with more traditional institutions.

“Furthermore, the lines between DeFi and centralized finance will blur, leading to hybrid solutions that combine the best of both worlds.”

2. Layer-2 Scaling Solutions

Layer-2 scaling solutions are a prominent tech DeFi example that is expected to play a crucial role in the second half of 2024, AlphaPoint’s Telyatnikov noted. These solutions will enable faster and cheaper transactions while also maintaining the security of the underlying blockchain.

Lian added that the ability of L2 solutions to enhance the scalability and efficiency of blockchain networks is also vital for the growth of DeFi technology.

3. Crypto Bridges

However, major DeFi platforms have seen other emerging trends in the past year, including the development of crypto bridges and Know Your Customer (KYC’d) DeFi, according to Lian. He said:

“The emergence of crypto bridges has facilitated asset transitions to faster layer 2 networks like Arbitrum and Polygon, enhancing ERC-20 token trading while maintaining exposure to Ethereum.”

4. Regulation

AlphaPoint’s Telyatnikov added that over the past year, one of the most significant changes in the DeFi landscape was the heightened regulatory scrutiny.

One example is recent enforcement actions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aimed at Uniswap Labs, which noted that the commission was planning to recommend legal action against the company.

Telyatnikov said:

“The recent Wells notice issued to Uniswap, the largest decentralized exchange by volume, and the ongoing Tornado Cash case have sent shockwaves and warning signals through the DeFi community, particularly in the US. Uniswap, being a significant utility in the DeFi ecosystem, is now facing a direct attack from regulators, creating uncertainty that may take a long time to resolve, similar to the Coinbase lawsuit.”

5. KYC’d DeFi

Such lawsuit cases bring direct challenges to the legal status of DeFi products, their tokens and use cases, which is why there could also be a potential rise of KYC’d DeFi. Know Your Customer procedures are known to align with regulatory standards and reduce illegal activities, which could serve as a limelight for a number of DeFi platforms.

For example, Singularity, a startup developing a protocol to provide institutions with confidential access to DeFi, attracted $2.2 million to develop a KYC-compliant DeFi platform for institutions.

Miko Matsumura, the managing partner at Gumi Cryptos Capital, said in a press release on February 22, 2024:

“Singularity addresses a crucial need in the market, providing institutional users with both the compliance and the commercial confidentiality necessary to participate in DeFi.”

Additionally, the SEC’s new regulatory definitions have the potential to bring decentralized exchanges (DEXs) within the scope of regulations for US broker-dealers, affecting their operations, which could also play a significant impact on the future of the DeFi space in the coming year.

However, global regulatory cooperation and the balance between innovation and safeguarding against financial stability risks will be crucial for further development of the DeFi space.

“The [current] focus seems to be on creating a regulatory environment that supports innovation while ensuring the security and integrity of the financial system,” Lian said.

The Bottom Line

As DeFi transitions from its speculative phase into a more mature and stable environment, the integration with traditional finance and the adoption of advanced technologies like Layer-2 solutions signify a robust future.

Despite facing regulatory challenges, the sector’s innovative response showcases its resilience and potential for sustained growth.

The growing acceptance and implementation of KYC procedures in DeFi could further enhance its legitimacy and foster broader adoption.

Overall, the future of DeFi looks promising, poised to redefine financial landscapes globally as it bridges the gap between traditional and decentralized finance while navigating regulatory challenges.

 

 

Source: https://www.techopedia.com/decentralized-finance-trends

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

South Korea’s Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Cryptocurrencies: What to Expect

South Korea’s Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Cryptocurrencies: What to Expect

South Korea’s cryptocurrency industry is bracing for an impending shakeup as policymakers set their sights on regulation. The government’s primary objective is to safeguard investors by stamping out any fraudulent activities that may be lurking within the industry’s dark corners. While the specifics of these regulations remain unclear, one thing is certain: change is coming.

FIU Takes Action

South Korea has been actively engaged in the regulation of its digital asset market. In the latest development, the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has taken stringent measures against five cryptocurrency exchanges, namely Bithumb Korea, Coinone, Dunamu, Korbit, and Streami, for their blatant disregard of regulations pertaining to the reporting of irregular crypto trading. The exchanges have been found negligent in their duty to monitor and report suspicious transactions diligently, resulting in the discovery of several instances of irregular trading practices. The detected irregularities include using borrowed-name bank accounts for transactions and grossly insufficient internal controls.

Notably, the FIU unearthed one case of a 95-year-old man engaged in late-night trading of over 30 different types of cryptocurrency, covertly splitting his money into smaller amounts to avoid detection. In another instance, a customer repeatedly withdrew money promptly after large virtual asset deposits had been made, raising suspicion of wrongdoing. On top of these, the FIU found that one of the board members of a cryptocurrency exchange was involved in transactions using their spouse’s name, further underscoring the lackadaisical attitude towards internal controls.

As a result, the FIU has levied substantial fines and issued disciplinary warnings on the exchanges, with the potential to order further improvements if the corrective actions taken by the exchanges are deemed inadequate. The fines amount to a staggering 490 million won, and the exchanges have been given a strict deadline of three months to address the identified suspicious transactions. The neglect of duty by the cryptocurrency exchanges and the discovery of various irregular trading practices emphasize the urgent need for stricter regulations and improved monitoring mechanisms to thwart illegal activities such as money laundering in the crypto market.

Parliament Expected to Pass New Digital Asset Bills

The South Korean parliament is expected to pass a bill regulating the digital asset market in April 2023, which was proposed at the end of 2022. Currently, 18 digital asset bills are being debated in the Political Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of South Korea. These bills are part of the proposed Virtual Assets Act, which aims to regulate the digital asset market in South Korea. The bills cover a range of topics, including amendments to the Exchange Act and the Specific Financial Information Act, and the establishment of new regulations.

Out of the 18 bills, 11 are related to virtual assets, 4 are amendments to the Exchange Act for electronic financial services, 2 are amendments to the Specific Financial Information Act, and 1 is related to establishing financial institutions for digital assets. The parliament members have expressed their belief that the bill to regulate the digital asset market would likely be passed in April, owing to the intense debates that have been taking place in the Political Affairs Committee, with members narrowing their differences. Members of the first subcommittee have shown a keen interest in the bill and are expected to pass 18 digital asset bills by the end of the month.

The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in South Korea is rapidly evolving, with new laws being proposed and enforced in response to the growing popularity of digital assets.

Actions Determine the Future

The government is willing to take legal action against crypto companies that engage in fraudulent activities. South Korean prosecutors also seek to extradite Do Kwon, a crypto entrepreneur accused of a multibillion-dollar fraud, to face charges in South Korea. Do Kwon was taken into custody in Montenegro, and South Korea and the US requested his extradition. There have also been attempts to arrest another Co-Founder of Terraform Labs, Shin Hyun-Seung, or Daniel Shin, in connection with the investigation into the collapse of the Terra-Luna cryptocurrency. Still, a South Korean court has twice dismissed the request for his arrest. This suggests that the government is willing to take legal action against crypto companies that engage in fraudulent activities.

With protecting their investors in mind, the domestic market has picked up a lot of confidence. They have seen a resurgence of cryptocurrency trading, particularly in XRP tokens. The trading volume for XRP has spiked to billions of dollars on top Korean exchanges like UpBit, Bithumb, and Korbit. In fact, XRP has overtaken Bitcoin in volume on the top 4 Korean exchanges.

crypto stats

Source: CoinGecko

They are taking steps to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and protect investors. There are also rumours that regulators have started to take notice of foreign cryptocurrency exchanges operating in South Korea through various affiliate marketing programs, social trading, and decentralized wallets. It seems like they will block domestic access to foreign cryptocurrency exchanges that lack the proper registration to operate in the country in due course. Previously, FIU has notified authorities that 16 firms allegedly violated this rule. Violating the registration requirements carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million South Korean won (US$38,000).

Ending Remarks

South Korea’s efforts to regulate the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape must be applauded for their aim to safeguard investors and combat fraud. However, the impact of these regulations could be more far-reaching and, dare I say, detrimental than initially anticipated. While well-intentioned, the imposition of rigorous regulations may deter reputable companies from entering the market and quash the spirit of innovation that has driven the cryptocurrency industry thus far. Companies may opt to relocate to jurisdictions with more lenient regulatory environments without a coherent global regulatory framework. This, in turn, could lead to a dangerous exodus of capital and talent from South Korea, leaving it in the dust.

Therefore, policymakers must take a nuanced approach that balances investors’ protection with the encouragement of innovation. Perhaps, instead of going it alone, South Korea could spearhead a collaborative effort that brings together regulators from around the world to craft a regulatory framework that is both effective and equitable. By doing so, South Korea could become a beacon of progress in the cryptocurrency industry, fostering creativity and responsible business practices.

South Korea is still one of the biggest forces in the cryptocurrency space and will remain competitive for years to come if they strike a good balance.

Source: https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/south-koreas-evolving-regulatory-landscape-for-cryptocurrencies-what-to-expect/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j

With bitcoin price hovering around the $20,000 mark, market observers expect its trading to continue between $18,000 and $22,000

With bitcoin price hovering around the $20,000 mark, market observers expect its trading to continue between $18,000 and $22,000

According to market observers and its volatile conditions, cryptocurrency trading has maintained the range between $18000 and $22000 for a month. Additional thoughts were shared.

Bitcoin price has a lot to do with the supply and holders too. If you have looked at Glassnode’s data, over 80% of the total USD-denominated wealth invested in bitcoin has been moved for at least three months. When supply is dormant, the price is dormant, and this means that holders are unwilling to spend at a lower price.

Another possible reason is that SEC chair Gary Gensler said in an interview with Yahoo Finance on 15 July 2022 that they will continue to speak to the crypto industry, saying that they may suggest rules that apply to traditional brokerage to protect investors in the event of crypto failure. This piece of news in a timely manner, and gives more confidence to the investors at large.

The news of South Africa will go all in to regulate crypto as a financial asset is another plus point for this week. With all the news today alone, many people on Twitter turned bullish upon seeing the crypto market cap was traded closer back to the $1 trillion mark. Investors have to look at the following dates:

1) 27 July- Federal Reserve Interest Rates;

2) 28 July- US GDP Figures.

These are important dates to note as they can drive the crypto prices up or down.

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With bitcoin price hovering around the $20,000 mark, market observers expect its trading to continue between $18,000 and $22,000

According to market reports, volatility in cryptocurrency markets is because of factors such as the global pandemic, world governments, and Web3.0’s bullish nature.

After a topsy-turvy ride, it seems bitcoin has stabilised with it being predicted to trade between $18,000 and $22,000, based on its price range for the last couple of months. On July 17, cryptocurrency bitcoin’s price fell below the $21,000 mark. At the time of writing (12.19 pm, Indian Standard Time), the global cryptocurrency market capitalisation reached a $1.01 trillion valuation while bitcoin traded close to the $22,000 value, according to cryptocurrency assets price-tracking website CoinMarketCap. “Bitcoin is hovering close to the $20,000 mark because of the community and investors who still believe in the currency. Due to the cryptocurrency’s nature and limited supply, its price is expected to increase in the future,” Agam Chaudhary, a serial entrepreneur and investor in Web3.0 space, told FE Digital Currency.

Various market reports stated that volatility in cryptocurrency markets is because of factors such as the global pandemic, influence of stock markets, decisions by governments, and the bullish nature of Web3.0 space. According to the Twitter handle of blockchain analytics firm Glassnode, over 80% of the total United States Dollar (USD) denominated wealth has been held on by investors for around 3 months, irrespective of market volatility. “Rules must be suggested for traditional brokerage to protect investors in the event of cryptocurrency failure. Investors need to follow the Federal Reserve Interest rates and US gross domestic product (GDP) figures, as they can drive cryptocurrency prices up or down,” Anndy Lian, chief digital advisor, Mongolian Productivity Organisation, a governmental organisation, stated.

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

www.anndy.com
j j j