As cryptocurrencies grow in popularity and adoption, they are fast becoming a household term, a norm if you will. 2021 was a big year for digital assets, with the entire market cap exceeding $3 trillion, institutional investment at its highest, and countries like El Salvador declaring Bitcoin as a legal tender. 

On top of this financial institutions around the world are incorporating the asset class into their balance sheets and many are exploring the concept of CBDCs (central bank digital currencies). As digital assets become increasingly integrated into our daily lives and a more popular option for the customer, it's time we harness the power of this nascent technology. 

What is crypto as a service (CaaS)? 

CaaS stands for Crypto as a Service and is a white-label solution for businesses and financial institutions that want to provide cryptocurrency services to their consumers. CaaS is essentially banking as a service for digital currencies.

CaaS works as a simple plug-and-play system for businesses wanting to provide their customers with digital assets trading, brokerage and custody services. Customers can interact with the services directly, without having to go through the providing company.

This infrastructure can then be used by any platform, from fintech, bank, or financial services businesses, as well as be integrated into mobile applications.

Given that asset managers manage £6.6 trillion in the United Kingdom alone, and that listed company values reach a staggering $93 trillion overall, the potential to offer traditional institutions with crypto cloud services is huge. As banking as a service has taken off, the expectation is that CaaS is going to follow its lead.

How does CaaS work?

The Crypto as a Service solution allows businesses and financial institutions, such as neobanks, to establish new revenue streams by providing a simple means for their customers to engage in crypto payments and the digital assets market. The consumer will be able to:

• Buy and sell digital assets
• Pay for goods and services using their digital wallet
• Securely store cryptocurrencies

The companies providing these services also receive access to highly secure and compliant transaction data monitoring and risk management systems. They will also be responsible for developing the global payments user interface, as CaaS functions as a back-end-only tool.

This ensures that the crypto services are entirely aligned with the brand, and do not appear to be a third party intervention. Through this interface, users can engage in crypto payments and manage crypto funds.

The main company providing Crypto as a Service will be responsible for aspects like KYC/AML, order processing, transaction monitoring, and digital assets custody, relevant to each jurisdiction.

For example, the regulatory requirements will be different in the United States and United Kingdom. This will establish the underlying trust when it comes to new customers engaging in crypto markets and other asset classes. These innovative business models are revolutionising the way in which people around the world can engage in decentralized finance without the risk.

Who would use CaaS?

Crypto as a Service allows regulated central banks and fintech firms to enable their customers to invest, store, trade, and pay in crypto. As these businesses offer cryptocurrency services they too can open new revenue streams.

The technology provider will also allow pension funds and asset managers to invest in Bitcoin and the greater crypto ecosystem on behalf of their clients. This new technology generates increased cash flow for businesses and an increased demographic of users.

Remittance firms will be able to send cross-border payments for a fraction of the cost while gaming companies, e-retailers, and brands can all begin utilizing digital wallets to allow their clients to make purchases in cryptocurrency and an overall improved experience.

CaaS is designed to assist any business looking to innovate their global payments system and enter the global market with crypto services.

Tap's CaaS service

Tap provides businesses with a reliable Crypto as a Service service that allows the company to leverage their already existing infrastructure and incorporate cryptocurrencies. The leading plug-and-play solution easily integrates into the company's hardware and allows any business to tap into a new demographic of crypto-interested customers and level of efficiency.

As we saw a demand for businesses looking to integrate cryptocurrencies into their already established models, these collaborative services were the logical next step.

Through the on-demand Crypto as a Service service, we are able to deliver another layer of crypto services on top of our already established mobile app.

With Tap's high-performance CaaS services, businesses are able to provide their customers with instant access to the crypto sector, with a secure and convenient means of buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies as well as access to a yield-generating wallet (a crypto savings account).

While a crypto exchange can take a minimum of two years to build, our CaaS can be implemented in a few weeks. Tap also holds the necessary regulatory compliance and insurance required for companies offering this level of service in the crypto environment.

The integration of these services removes the workload of managing cryptocurrencies and allows your business to focus on more scalable endeavors. No blockchain expertise needed.

To learn more or for more information, please visit our website and contact us should you wish to incorporate this level of innovation into your business.

Closing Thoughts

The greatest obstacle in the path to global crypto adoption is the belief that crypto is too volatile and that it lacks regulation.

While the markets are known to engage in volatile price movements, the understanding is that once regulatory frameworks are imposed this will be curbed.

Government bodies around the world are working to achieve this, as cryptocurrencies have firmly become a permanent feature on the greater financial landscape. As banking as a service (BAAS) has taken off, in light of the rise in crypto adoption, CaaS is the next step forward.

Crypto as a Service aims to provide both access and education to those looking to incorporate this crypto-centered product into their business and lives and integrate themselves into the digital asset ecosystem. Be sure to find a reputable platform that provides CaaS services with an easy-to-integrate API and high regulatory standards.

These crypto-powered products and services will assist the general public with becoming more familiar with the technology while allowing those already interested in harnessing and leveraging their crypto portfolios. After all, cryptocurrencies and the greater asset class are here to stay.

This year has seen a gradual but significant improvement in cryptocurrency prices from the chilly crypto winter of 2022. Factors such as cooling inflation and a more relaxed macroeconomic situation have given crypto the space to turn upward and settle in the green. While the road to recovery (to 2021 prices) might be long, there is definite hope on the horizon.

Before we dive in, let’s first review the previous crypto bull runs associated with halvings. When it comes to bull runs, there is a historical pattern of prices rising several months after a Bitcoin halving. This effect tends to take place twelve to eighteen months after the halving event.

This article tends to focus heavily on Bitcoin as the cryptocurrency holds a lot of weight in the industry. Bitcoin market trends tend to dictate the way forward for many other altcoins, while this isn’t black and white, it tends to be the norm. When Bitcoin enters a bull run, so too do other cryptocurrencies, and when the Bitcoin price is down, the same applies. 

What is a Bitcoin halving?

Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, strongly believed that scarcity creates value. When designing Bitcoin, it was decided that there would only ever be 21 million coins, and while these can be broken down into small decimal places, there is no changing that maximum supply. 

In order to leverage the scarcity and ensure an even distribution of new coins entering circulation, Nakamoto designed a halving mechanism. The mechanism ensures that the currency remains deflationary, controls how many new coins enter circulation, and plays little havoc on the market. 

To understand how a halving works, one must first understand how Bitcoins are mined. Through a decentralized network, new transactions are entered into a mempool while they await confirmation. Miners will then compete to verify them by completing a complex cryptographical puzzle. The first miner to successfully complete the puzzle is awarded the job of verifying the transactions as well as earning the rewards. 

Once all the transactions have been verified they are executed and the data from each transaction is added to a block, which is added to the blockchain in chronological order. The miner then receives a transaction fee from each transaction as well as a miner's reward for adding a new block to the blockchain. 

Every 210,000 blocks, roughly four years, this reward is halved, making it a significant factor in what is known as the halving experiences. In 2009, the miner's reward was 50 BTC, today it is worth 6.25 BTC. While the price tends to increase substantially, the reward is automatically halved at these intervals. Written into its code, the halvings are automated activities that cannot be altered.

Reviewing previous bull runs

Bitcoin's first mini bull run

The first recorded "bull run" in the crypto sector took place in April 2011 when the price of Bitcoin rose 3,000% over the space of three months. After reaching $1 in April 2011, the coin went on to reach $32 in June. However, this price increase was short-lived as the price returned to $2 in November.

The next year the cryptocurrency underwent its first halving in November, ending the year between the $13 and $14 price mark.

2012 halving / 2013 bull run

In the first few months after the halving, the price rose from $13 to $30. By April, one Bitcoin was trading for $100, its then all-time high, spurring interest from curious outsiders. By November, twelve months after the initial halving, Bitcoin broke the $1,000 barrier. This too was short-lived as the price dropped to around $530 a month later.

2016 halving / 2017 bull run

The next halving took place in July 2016, when the price was trading at around $600. After years of the Bitcoin price bouncing between $100 and $900, it finally hit the $1,000 mark again in January 2017, six months after the halving. By mid-May, the price had doubled to $2,000, and by December of the same year, the price sky-rocketed to just under $20,000.

Sparking a Bitcoin frenzy, the digital asset became a hot topic in mainstream media and many market participants hopped on the bandwagon. This also sparked widespread development within the industry, with many altcoins being launched and what has become known as the "ICO craze". Due to the quick ascent of this nascent technology, user adoption and regulation became prominent topics of discussion in financial and regulatory circles.

By December 2018, just a year later, the price had shrunk to $3,236, while in December 2019, Bitcoin was trading at $7,200.

2020 halving / 2021 bull run

In 2020 the world was struck by the Covid-19 pandemic, causing unprecedented damage to economies around the world. While Bitcoin and other digital currencies took a knock, the industry proved to be much more resilient than most other traditional markets.

Dropping almost 50% to lows of $4,900 in March 2020, the price gradually recovered to $9,000 in May when the next halving took place. The upward price trend continued its climb, reaching $29,374 in December, another all-time high.

In the early months of 2021, the Bitcoin price doubled in value reaching $64,000 in April. By July, it was trading around $30,000 again before skyrocketing to $68,000 in November. By January 2022 the price had corrected to $35,000 before the market was faced with several unfavorable factors.

Markets around the world took another hit when Russia declared war on Ukraine, sending the price of everyday items including fuel soaring. Governments increased interest rates to the highest they've been in decades, and global supply chain issues caused by the pandemic continued to drive upset.

With the world in financial uncertainty, not to mention the demise of several cryptocurrency networks and exchanges, many participants pulled their money from the crypto markets as well as tech-based stock investment markets. This saw the price of Bitcoin dip below the $20,000 mark for the first time in two years, causing widespread uncertainty and speculation.

2022 was officially declared a crypto winter and while prices rose roughly 29% year-on-date, 2023 wasn’t the promised land that crypto enthusiasts had dreamed of. 

Are we headed toward the next crypto bull run?

Price increases aside, the Bitcoin Fear and Greed meter observed ( at the time of writing) a hopeful incline from a state of “Extreme fear” to a “Greed” greed rating. This measure of market sentiment is a vast improvement from 2022 and, alongside expert analysis, indicates that the cryptocurrency has moved into the accumulation phase. According to the Wyckoff market cycles, this is the prerequisite to the mark-up phase and indicates the end of a bear cycle.

The digital asset market remains volatile and unpredictable, and one cannot predict what might happen in the coming months or even years. What we do know is that historically bull runs have succeeded halvings, so grab your popcorn we should be in for an interesting ride. 

Le spot trading, c’est quoi exactement ?

Le spot trading consiste à acheter ou vendre un actif (crypto, devise, matière première, action, etc.) au prix du marché actuel, avec une exécution immédiate ou quasi instantanée. C’est la forme la plus simple et la plus courante de trading – que ce soit pour débuter sur les cryptos ou sur le marché des devises.

Par exemple, si vous achetez du Bitcoin via une plateforme d’échange au prix actuel et que vous le stockez dans votre portefeuille, vous réalisez une transaction dite « spot ».

Les marchés spot existent pour de nombreux types d’actifs : actions, devises, matières premières, obligations, et bien sûr, cryptomonnaies. En réalité, des plateformes comme le NASDAQ ou le NYSE sont des marchés spot traditionnels.

Comment fonctionne le spot trading ?

Le trader spot achète un actif dans l’espoir qu’il prenne de la valeur, puis le revend pour dégager un profit. Il peut aussi parier à la baisse (shorter) : vendre un actif pour le racheter plus tard à un prix inférieur.

Le prix spot est simplement le prix du marché à un instant T. Une ordre au marché permet d’acheter ou vendre au meilleur prix disponible immédiatement. Mais attention, s’il n’y a pas assez de liquidité sur le marché, l’ordre peut être partiellement exécuté à différents prix.

💡 Exemple : vous passez un ordre pour acheter 5 BTC au prix spot, mais seulement 2 sont disponibles à ce prix. Les 3 restants seront achetés au prix suivant disponible.

Sur les marchés crypto, l’exécution est quasiment instantanée (24h/24, 7j/7). Pour les actions, cela peut prendre quelques jours (souvent noté T+2, soit 2 jours ouvrés après la date de transaction).

Spot trading vs trading sur marge

Dans certains marchés spot, le trading sur marge est proposé mais fonctionne différemment.

• En spot trading, vous payez l’intégralité de l’actif et en devenez propriétaire immédiatement.
• En trading sur marge, vous empruntez des fonds (avec intérêts) pour prendre une position plus importante que vos fonds propres ne le permettent.

Ce levier peut amplifier les gains… mais aussi les pertes. Il est donc généralement réservé aux traders expérimentés.

Marché spot vs marché à terme

Le marché spot implique une exécution immédiate : l’achat ou la vente se fait maintenant, au prix actuel.

À l’inverse, le marché à terme (futures) repose sur des contrats qui fixent un prix aujourd’hui pour une livraison future. À la date de règlement, la plupart des acteurs règlent ces contrats en espèces plutôt qu'en livrant réellement l’actif.

Les différents types de plateformes de spot trading

Le spot trading peut s’effectuer de trois manières :

Échanges centralisés (CEX)

Les échanges centralisés sont des plateformes qui assurent la mise en relation des acheteurs et des vendeurs. Ils gèrent la garde des fonds, vérifient l’identité des utilisateurs (KYC), assurent la sécurité et perçoivent des frais de transaction.

💡 Exemples : Binance, Kraken, Coinbase.

Vous devez y déposer vos fonds (crypto ou fiat) avant de trader.

Échanges décentralisés (DEX)

Les DEX permettent de trader sans intermédiaire, directement depuis votre portefeuille. Les échanges s’effectuent via des smart contracts sur la blockchain.

Avantages : pas besoin de compte, plus d’anonymat. Inconvénients : plus de risques techniques et moins d’assistance en cas de problème.

💡 Exemples : Uniswap, PancakeSwap.

Marchés de gré à gré (OTC)

Le trading OTC (over-the-counter) se fait directement entre deux parties, sans carnet d’ordre public. Cela permet d’exécuter des gros ordres sans faire bouger le marché, ce qui peut éviter le phénomène de slippage (écart de prix).

Les transactions OTC se font souvent par téléphone ou via messagerie instantanée, notamment pour les actifs peu liquides ou pour les grandes quantités de cryptos comme le Bitcoin.

En résumé

Le spot trading est un moyen accessible et rapide de s’exposer aux marchés financiers. Que ce soit pour les débutants ou les investisseurs aguerris, il offre une solution simple pour acheter ou vendre des actifs au prix du moment.

Avant de vous lancer, il est important de bien comprendre les mécanismes du marché, la liquidité de l’actif visé, et les risques potentiels. Mais une chose est sûre : avec le spot trading, vous entrez dans le vif du sujet.

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Rug pull crypto : de quoi parle-t-on ?

Vous avez peut-être déjà vu passer le terme rug pull dans l’univers des cryptomonnaies. Mais qu’est-ce que ça veut dire exactement ? Contrairement aux schémas de type pump and dump, un rug pull est une technique frauduleuse particulièrement répandue dans les coins et tokens peu connus.

Définition d’un rug pull

Un rug pull est une escroquerie dans laquelle des développeurs créent un projet crypto puis disparaissent avec les fonds des investisseurs.

Cela se produit souvent dans le monde de la finance décentralisée (DeFi), notamment sur les échanges décentralisés (DEX). Voici comment cela fonctionne :

1. Des développeurs créent un nouveau token et le listent sur un DEX.
2. Ils le lient à une cryptomonnaie populaire comme l’Ethereum.
3. Pour attirer les investisseurs, ils injectent temporairement beaucoup de liquidités dans le pool et lancent une campagne marketing sur les réseaux sociaux (Twitter, Telegram, etc.).
4. Une fois qu’un grand nombre d’utilisateurs échangent leurs ETH contre ce nouveau token, les développeurs retirent toutes les liquidités, faisant chuter la valeur à zéro et empochant les fonds.

Ce type d’arnaque touche principalement les projets très récents, jamais des projets établis comme Bitcoin ou Ethereum.

Pourquoi les DEX sont vulnérables ?

Les rug pulls sont particulièrement fréquents sur les DEX car ils ne nécessitent aucun audit préalable pour lister un token. Et comme créer un jeton ERC-20 sur Ethereum est simple et peu coûteux, cela facilite les choses pour les arnaqueurs.

Quels signaux doivent alerter ?

Même si les rug pulls sont plus rares que d’autres types de fraudes, certains signes avant-coureurs doivent vous mettre la puce à l’oreille :

• Liquidité suspecte : Assurez-vous que le projet a une liquidité verrouillée pour une durée donnée. Les projets sérieux verrouillent généralement leur pool.
• Hausse fulgurante : Un token qui prend x50 en 24h, c’est suspect. Ce type de hausse provoque un effet FOMO destiné à piéger de nouveaux investisseurs.
• Répartition des tokens : Un projet est souvent considéré comme "unruggable" si l’équipe de développement ne détient pas une majorité des tokens. En d'autres termes, pas de grande quantité entre les mains des créateurs = moins de risque de fuite.

Est-ce illégal ?

En théorie, oui. En pratique, le droit peine à suivre l’évolution rapide de la crypto. Le manque de réglementation précise rend l’identification et la poursuite des responsables difficile. Résultat : beaucoup de rug pulls restent impunis.

Exemple : le rug pull du Squid Game

L’un des rug pulls les plus médiatisés reste celui du Squid Game Token, en 2021.

Le token, inspiré de la célèbre série Netflix, a vu sa valeur grimper jusqu’à 2 861 $ par coin. Sauf qu’au sommet du buzz, le site officiel a été supprimé, les créateurs introuvables, et la liquidité a disparu. En quelques instants, le token est passé de l’euphorie à une valeur quasi nulle, tandis que les créateurs repartaient avec plus de 3,3 millions de dollars.

La manipulation allait encore plus loin : les développeurs avaient intégré un mécanisme anti-vente, empêchant les détenteurs de revendre leurs tokens. Un plan orchestré dès le départ.

En résumé

Les rug pulls ne sont pas les arnaques les plus fréquentes, mais elles existent et peuvent coûter cher. Le mieux est de rester vigilant face aux nouveaux projets qui font beaucoup de bruit en peu de temps. Privilégiez toujours les projets établis et prenez le temps d’analyser la solidité d’un token avant d’investir.

Dans l’univers crypto, mieux vaut prévenir que guérir.

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We’ve covered what Proof of Work and Proof of Stake is, but what is PaaS?

In this article, we’re making this rather complicated-sounding term easy to understand as we explore where it came from, what it means, and why it’s likely to keep popping up in the crypto realm. 

What Is PaaS?

PaaS stands for Platform as a Service and refers to a cloud delivery service that uses third-party cloud service providers. “As a service” indicates that the cloud computing service is provided by a third party, rather than the user having to manage their own hardware and software.

PaaS providers offer a range of services, including operating systems, databases, middleware, and other software development tools. PaaS offerings can be used for both cloud-native and hybrid cloud applications.

PaaS solutions are popular among software developers and businesses looking to migrate their applications to the cloud. They provide an application development platform that can be used to build and deploy applications quickly and easily, without the need for specialized hardware or software.

Some of the key benefits of PaaS include reduced costs, faster deployment, and greater flexibility and scalability. PaaS providers offer a range of services, including operating systems, databases, middleware, and other software development tools. This allows users to develop, run, and manage applications without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

The History of PaaS

PaaS first appeared in 2005 as Zimki under the company Fontago. Zimki allowed users to build and deploy web services and applications through its code execution platform.

Billing was determined based on the number of JavaScript operations, the amount of web traffic and the total storage used, providing users with a much clearer cost structure than on other platforms. The platform was eventually shut down in 2008 by its parent company.

That same year the Google App Engine was launched allowing users to create web services and applications using languages like Go, PHP, Node.js, Java and Python.

Today, Google remains the biggest PaaS vendor in the world. 

How Does PaaS Work?

Instead of replacing its overall IT infrastructure and running these services in-house, PaaS streamlines access to its key services. This helps to reduce time in deployment as well as minimize startup costs. 

PaaS allows users to tap into resources and functions like capacity on demand, data storage, text editing, vision management and testing services despite being in geographically different locations. All while using a pay-per-use model. 

PaaS Offers Development Tools

PaaS, or Platform as a Service, is a cloud-based platform that provides users with access to the tools and resources needed to develop and run applications. Instead of replacing its overall IT infrastructure and running these services in-house, PaaS streamlines access to its key services, allowing users to easily tap into resources and functions like capacity on demand, data storage, text editing, vision management, and testing services. This pay-per-use model enables users to access the tools and resources they need without incurring the high costs of building and maintaining their own infrastructure.

PaaS technology offers a range of benefits for both developers and businesses, including the ability to easily integrate databases, manage infrastructure, and access data centers. This can provide a range of advantages, such as improved performance, enhanced security, and increased scalability.

PaaS technology providers also offer a range of services and support to their customers, including integration platforms and infrastructure management services. This can help businesses to quickly and easily integrate their applications with other systems and platforms, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits of PaaS without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

PaaS vs IaaS vs SaaS

PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS are all different models of cloud computing. PaaS, or Platform as a Service, provides access to the tools and resources needed to develop and run applications, while IaaS, or Infrastructure as a Service, offers access to the underlying infrastructure, including storage, networking, and computing power. SaaS, or Software as a Service, provides access to software applications over the internet.

These models differ in terms of what areas are handled on-site and which are handled by a third-party provider. For example, with PaaS, the infrastructure and operating system are managed by the provider, while the customer focuses on developing and deploying their own applications. With IaaS, the provider manages the infrastructure, while the customer is responsible for the operating system and applications. With SaaS, the provider manages everything, including the infrastructure, operating system, and applications.

Examples of companies that offer PaaS services include Amazon Web Services and the IBM Cloud, while IaaS providers include AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Dropbox, Salesforce, and Google Apps are examples of SaaS providers.

These models offer advantages to businesses and developers looking to enter the cloud computing space. For example, PaaS offers the ability to focus on app development without worrying about the underlying infrastructure, while IaaS and SaaS provide access to cloud resources and the ability to quickly deploy and scale applications. These models can also be used to build communications platforms and other mobile applications, providing access to the necessary infrastructure and resources.

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PaaS Provider In Blockchain

The use of PaaS technology, or Platform as a Service, within the blockchain industry is becoming increasingly popular. While blockchain platforms themselves are not typically structured in a PaaS way, the concept of BPaaS, or Blockchain Platform as a Service, offers businesses and enterprises the opportunity to focus on the development of software and other services for customers.

BPaaS provides numerous advantages for companies looking to enter the blockchain space. It allows businesses to leverage the power of cloud-based infrastructure and resources to develop and deploy applications without the need to manage their own hardware and software.

PaaS providers like Amazon Managed Blockchain and the IBM Blockchain Platform are leading the way in offering BPaaS solutions to businesses. These platforms offer a range of tools and resources for application development, including integrated development environments (IDEs), code libraries, and APIs. This allows developers to focus on building and deploying their own blockchain-based applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

Overall, the use of PaaS in the blockchain industry offers numerous benefits, including reduced production costs, streamlined deployment, and the ability to easily integrate specific AI capabilities into applications. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to enter the blockchain space.

Crypto lending might be the hot new product in the cryptocurrency space, but before you dive in be sure to first understand what it entails. The concept grew great traction with the rise of the decentralized finance (DeFi) movement, with platforms offering users high yields for borrowing crypto assets. 

Let’s get started with what crypto lending is, and then explore how the product works. 

What is crypto lending?

Crypto lending is a traditional banking service curated to the crypto world. With the DeFi space remains largely unregulated, many crypto exchanges and other platforms have started offering these services, with added security. 

Crypto lending involves a user lending crypto assets to a platform in return for interest, which allows other users to then borrow said crypto assets, paying interest on the amount borrowed. The platform will then take a small percentage of the interest paid. 

Depending on the platform and other factors, crypto lending platforms may be centralized or decentralized and offer exceptionally high-interest rates, with annual percentage yields (APYs) of 15% or more. With the interest rates being higher than traditional bank accounts, lenders gain access to much greater yields, increasing their returns. 

Another advantage to crypto lending is that users are still exposed to price gains in the market. Meaning that if you deposit your Bitcoin when it's worth $20,000 and the price rises in value to $50,000, you are still able to realize these returns and earn interest for the duration of the loan. 

Note that interest rates might fluctuate with market conditions on some platforms, increasing when the prices increase and decreasing when markets are down.

How does crypto lending work?

Cryptocurrency lending platforms function as middlemen connecting lenders to borrowers. Lenders deposit their digital currency into high-interest lending accounts, and borrowers utilize the lending platform to acquire loans. These systems then lend money utilizing the crypto that investors have provided them.

The platform controls its net interest margins by establishing the interest rates for both lending and borrowing.

Rates on platforms differ from cryptocurrency to cryptocurrency, some platforms might offer higher interest rates to lenders willing to commit to a certain time frame. There is no standard interest rate for cryptocurrencies, as each platform has its own set of rules.

Centralized crypto lending means putting your money in the hands of a corporation or other entity to manage and make the process easier. Accounts are created for borrowers and lenders, and loans may be requested by applicants.

Lenders and borrowers may connect their cryptocurrency wallets to a decentralized crypto lending protocol, ​​which uses smart contracts to automate the lender-borrower relationship. Smart contracts are automated digital agreements that execute once certain criteria is met. 

The advantages of crypto lending

There are several benefits to crypto lending when comparing it to a regular bank account.

Borrowers have access to these financial services without having to pass a credit check, making it more financially inclusive than traditional banking services. They are also exposed to lower interest rates than regular banking loans.

Lenders that give loans in the form of cryptocurrencies can make a lot more money from their crypto assets than savings accounts. It may also be a more adaptable choice to crypto staking, which requires users to lock up their cryptocurrency and submit it to a blockchain security method. Depending on the platform, lending usually gives users access to their funds.

The downside to crypto lending

The agreement with crypto loan companies is generally made on individual terms by institution borrowers. As interest rates vary across platforms and cryptocurrencies, each company is different.

There have been several cases where lending platforms have been hit by severe liquidity crisis, notably Celsius, Voyager Digital, and BlockFi. Glenn Huybrecht, COO of Cake DeFi, said, “Some lending providers have been very generous with low collateral requirements, which then puts them in hot water when one of their customer's defaults.”

Due to the ongoing regulation battles, these crypto services are also not backed by government safety nets, like the traditional banks are. However, some platforms do hold insurance and the necessary regulatory accreditations so be sure to seek one that has all of the above.

Closing thoughts

Crypto lending platforms differ greatly from one another so be sure to check each platform, their interest rates for all the various currencies supported, and if there are any lock-up periods or fees payable.