Decentralized Finance

Crypto Guides

DeFi explained for everyone

No jargon. No assumed knowledge. Plain-English guides to understanding crypto, setting up a wallet, and using the biggest DeFi protocols — from scratch.

Notice

These guides are for educational purposes only. Nothing here is financial advice. Cryptocurrency involves significant risk. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.

BeginnerGetting Started

What is Cryptocurrency? A Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Cryptocurrency is digital money that operates on a decentralised network of computers rather than through a bank or government. This comprehensive guide explains what crypto is, how blockchain works, the different types of cryptocurrency, and what the risks really are — in plain English with no assumed knowledge.

15 min read
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›What is cryptocurrency, in plain English?›How does cryptocurrency actually work?›Where does cryptocurrency come from?›What are the main types of cryptocurrency?
BeginnerGetting Started

What is Blockchain Technology? Simply Explained

Blockchain is the technology that makes cryptocurrency possible. It is a shared, tamper-proof public record maintained by a global network of computers. This guide explains how blockchains work, why they matter, and what different types exist.

12 min read
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›What is a blockchain, in simple terms?›How does a blockchain transaction actually work?›Why can't someone change the blockchain record?›What are smart contracts?
BeginnerWallets

How to Choose Your First Crypto Wallet (2026 Guide)

Your crypto wallet is one of the most important decisions you make in the space. This comprehensive guide explains every type of wallet, who each is suited for, the exact security practices that matter, and how to choose between the most popular options in 2026.

12 min read
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›What does a crypto wallet actually do?›What is the difference between custodial and non-custodial wallets?›Hot wallets vs cold wallets — what is the difference?›Which wallet should a beginner choose?
BeginnerWallets

How to Set Up MetaMask: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

MetaMask is the most widely used wallet for accessing DeFi applications, swapping tokens, and managing digital assets on Ethereum and dozens of other networks. This complete guide walks you through installation, wallet creation, security setup, funding your wallet, and adding additional networks — step by step.

10 min read
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›What is MetaMask and why is it the standard wallet for DeFi?›Step 1: Download MetaMask from the official source›Step 2: Create your wallet›Step 3: Understand your MetaMask interface
BeginnerGetting Started

CEX vs DEX: What's the Difference? (Simply Explained 2026)

CEX (centralised exchange) and DEX (decentralised exchange) are the two main ways to buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrency. This guide explains how each type works, the key differences in security, fees, and user experience, and which is right for your situation.

8 min read
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›What is a centralised exchange (CEX)?›What is a decentralised exchange (DEX)?›How does an Automated Market Maker (AMM) work?›Key differences: CEX vs DEX
BeginnerDeFi Protocols

How to Swap Tokens on Uniswap: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Uniswap is the world's largest decentralised exchange, processing billions of dollars in daily trading volume. This complete guide walks you through how Uniswap works, how to make your first swap, understanding slippage and fees, spotting scam tokens, and using Uniswap on cheaper Layer 2 networks.

12 min read
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›What is Uniswap and how does it work?›What do you need before using Uniswap?›Step-by-step: how to make your first Uniswap swap›What is slippage and how should you set it?
BeginnerGetting Started

What Are Gas Fees? Ethereum Transaction Costs Explained (2026)

Gas fees are the transaction costs you pay to use the Ethereum network. This guide explains exactly what gas fees are, why they exist, how they are calculated, why they fluctuate so dramatically, and the practical strategies to minimise what you pay — including Layer 2 networks that reduce fees by 99%.

10 min read
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›What are gas fees and why do they exist?›How is the gas fee actually calculated?›Why do gas fees change so dramatically?›How to check current gas prices before transacting
IntermediateDeFi Protocols

How to Earn Yield on Your Crypto Using Aave: Complete Beginner's Guide

Aave is one of the world's largest DeFi lending protocols, with billions of dollars in deposited assets. This comprehensive guide explains how Aave works, how to deposit crypto to earn yield, how interest rates are set, the difference between supplying and borrowing, and the real risks you need to understand before depositing a single penny.

14 min read
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›What is Aave and how does it work?›How are Aave interest rates determined?›Step-by-step: how to supply assets on Aave V3›What is borrowing on Aave and how does it work?
BeginnerSafety

DeFi Security: How to Stay Safe in Decentralised Finance (Complete Guide)

Billions of dollars have been lost to DeFi hacks, scams, and user mistakes. This comprehensive security guide covers every major attack vector — phishing, fake protocols, seed phrase theft, malicious approvals, rug pulls, and more — with specific, actionable steps to protect yourself and spot scams before they cost you.

15 min read
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›Why DeFi security is different from traditional finance›Attack type 1: Phishing websites and fake applications›Attack type 2: Recovery phrase (seed phrase) theft›Attack type 3: Malicious token approvals
BeginnerGetting Started

What is DeFi (Decentralised Finance)? Complete Beginner's Guide

DeFi — decentralised finance — is a collection of financial services (lending, borrowing, trading, earning interest) that run on blockchain networks without banks, brokers, or other traditional intermediaries. This guide explains what DeFi is, how it differs from traditional finance, what services are available, who uses it, and the real risks involved.

12 min read
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›What is DeFi in simple terms?›What can you actually do in DeFi?›How big is DeFi?›How does DeFi differ from traditional finance?
IntermediateDeFi Protocols

Resupply Protocol Explained: How to Borrow, Stake, and Earn Passive Income

Resupply is a DeFi lending protocol that lets you borrow the reUSD stablecoin against your Convex and Curve LP token positions — so your assets continue generating yield while simultaneously acting as loan collateral. This guide explains how Resupply works, how to set up a borrowing position, how to stake reUSD for passive income, how to claim rewards, and how it compares to Aave, Prisma, and crvUSD.

16 min read
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›What is Resupply Protocol and why does it matter?›How does Resupply work? The three-layer system›What collateral does Resupply accept?›Step-by-step: how to borrow reUSD on Resupply
BeginnerWallets

Rabby Wallet: Complete Setup and Security Guide (2026)

Rabby Wallet is a browser extension wallet built by the DeBank team that adds critical security features missing from MetaMask — most importantly, it simulates every transaction before you confirm, showing you exactly what will leave and arrive in your wallet. This complete guide covers installation, security setup, connecting to DeFi protocols like Aave and Uniswap, importing from MetaMask, and using Rabby's advanced features.

12 min read
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›What is Rabby Wallet and how is it different from MetaMask?›Step-by-step: how to install Rabby Wallet›How to import your MetaMask wallet into Rabby›Using Rabby's transaction simulation — the most important feature
BeginnerWallets

How to Set Up a Hardware Wallet (Ledger & Trezor)

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys offline, making them unreachable to hackers. This guide walks through choosing, setting up, and using a Ledger or Trezor device safely.

14 min
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›What is a hardware wallet and why do you need one?›Ledger vs Trezor: which should you buy?›Step-by-step: setting up your hardware wallet›Keeping your seed phrase safe
IntermediateDeFi Protocols

What is Liquid Staking? (Lido, Rocket Pool, EtherFi)

Liquid staking gives you a token representing your staked ETH so you can earn staking rewards while still using your assets in DeFi. Learn how Lido, Rocket Pool, and EtherFi differ.

13 min
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›Why regular ETH staking has a problem›How liquid staking works›Lido vs Rocket Pool vs EtherFi compared›Risks of liquid staking
IntermediateGetting Started

How DeFi Taxes Work: A Plain-English Guide

Swapping tokens, earning yield, providing liquidity, and receiving airdrops all create taxable events in most jurisdictions. This guide explains what triggers tax, how to calculate it, and how to keep records.

15 min
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›Why DeFi creates complex tax situations›The core principle: disposals and income›Which DeFi activities are taxable›Cost basis: what you actually paid
BeginnerGetting Started

What is a Cross-Chain Bridge?

A cross-chain bridge lets you move crypto assets from one blockchain to another — for example, ETH from Ethereum to Arbitrum. Learn how they work and why they are the most-hacked category of DeFi infrastructure.

10 min
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›Why bridges are necessary›How bridges work: the basic mechanism›Types of bridges›Bridge security: why bridges get hacked
BeginnerSafety

How to Protect Your Seed Phrase

Your 12 or 24-word seed phrase is the only backup for your crypto wallet. This guide covers the real threats, storage best practices, and the mistakes that lead to permanent loss.

8 min
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›What your seed phrase actually is›How people lose their crypto: real threats›How to store your seed phrase safely›The one rule that prevents 95% of seed phrase theft
IntermediateDeFi Protocols

What is Yield Farming and Liquidity Mining?

Yield farming means deploying crypto across DeFi protocols to maximise returns. This guide explains liquidity pools, LP tokens, impermanent loss, reward tokens, and how to evaluate whether a yield is real.

13 min
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›Where DeFi yield comes from›How liquidity provision works›Impermanent loss: the yield farmer's biggest hidden risk›Evaluating yield: real vs illusory
IntermediateAdvanced DeFi

What Is a Flash Loan? DeFi's Uncollateralised Loans Explained (2026)

Flash loans are uncollateralised DeFi loans that must be borrowed and repaid within a single blockchain transaction. This guide explains how they work, their legitimate uses in arbitrage and liquidations, why they have been used in major DeFi exploits, and which platforms offer them.

8 min read
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›What Is a Flash Loan?›How Flash Loans Work: Step by Step›Legitimate Uses of Flash Loans›Flash Loan Exploits: When They Are Misused
BeginnerDeFi Concepts

What Is a DAO? Decentralised Autonomous Organisations Explained (2026)

A DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation) is an organisation governed by token holders through on-chain voting, with rules encoded in smart contracts rather than legal documents. This guide explains how DAOs work, how voting functions, the biggest DAOs in DeFi, the veToken model, and their legal status in the UK.

10 min read
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›What Is a DAO?›How DAO Governance Works›The Biggest DAOs in DeFi (2026)›The veToken Model: Aligning Governance with Long-Term Commitment
BeginnerGetting Started

DeFi vs Traditional Finance: The Complete Comparison (2026)

This guide compares DeFi to traditional finance (TradFi) across 12 key dimensions — custody, access, transparency, fees, regulation, and risk — with a full comparison table and plain-English explanation of every difference. Includes UK-specific context on FSCS protection, FCA regulation, and tax.

9 min read
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›The Core Difference Between DeFi and TradFi›DeFi vs Traditional Finance: Full Comparison Table›Where DeFi Has a Clear Advantage›Where Traditional Finance Has a Clear Advantage
IntermediateAdvanced DeFi

What Are Prediction Markets in DeFi? Polymarket, Gnosis & Augur Explained (2026)

Prediction markets allow users to trade on the probability of real-world events. This guide explains how decentralised prediction markets work, the leading platforms (Polymarket, Gnosis, Augur), oracle resolution, and their legal status in the UK.

9 min read
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›What Are Prediction Markets?›How Decentralised Prediction Markets Work›Leading Decentralised Prediction Market Platforms›Polymarket: The Dominant Platform
BeginnerSecurity

Is DeFi Safe? DeFi Risks Explained for Beginners (2026)

DeFi carries genuine risks that are different from traditional investing. This guide ranks and explains the main DeFi risks — smart contract exploits, liquidation, oracle manipulation, rug pulls, and impermanent loss — with practical guidance on reducing exposure to each.

12 min read
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›DeFi Risk Categories at a Glance›Smart Contract Risk: The Largest Structural Threat›How to Spot a Potential Rug Pull›Impermanent Loss: The Hidden Cost of LP Positions
IntermediateAdvanced DeFi

What Is Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenisation? A Complete Guide (2026)

Real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation converts off-chain assets — government bonds, private credit, real estate — into on-chain tokens. This guide explains how it works, the leading protocols (BlackRock BUIDL, Ondo Finance, Centrifuge, Maple Finance), how RWAs are used in DeFi, and the risks involved.

10 min read
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›What Is RWA Tokenisation?›How RWA Tokenisation Works›Leading RWA Protocols and Products›BlackRock BUIDL: The Watershed Moment for RWA
BeginnerSecurity

DeFi Insurance Explained: Protect Your Crypto from Smart Contract Hacks (2026)

DeFi insurance protocols offer on-chain coverage against smart contract exploits, stablecoin depegs, and exchange hacks. This guide explains how DeFi insurance works, the leading providers, what is and is not covered, the claims process, and whether it is worth the premium.

8 min read
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›Why DeFi Insurance Exists›Leading DeFi Insurance Platforms›How Nexus Mutual Works›What DeFi Insurance Covers and Doesn't
IntermediateAdvanced DeFi

What Are Perpetual Swaps (Perps)? DeFi Leverage Trading Explained (2026)

Perpetual swaps (perps) let you speculate on cryptocurrency prices with leverage and no expiry date. This guide explains how perps work, the funding rate mechanism, liquidation risk, the leading DEX perp platforms (dYdX, GMX, Drift, Hyperliquid), and the key risks of leveraged crypto trading.

11 min read
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›What Is a Perpetual Swap?›The Funding Rate: How Perps Stay Aligned with Spot Price›Liquidation: When Leverage Goes Wrong›Leading DEX Perpetual Swap Platforms
BeginnerDeFi Basics

What is Impermanent Loss?

Impermanent loss is the temporary reduction in value that liquidity providers experience when the price ratio of their deposited tokens diverges after they've added funds to an AMM pool. This guide explains exactly how it works, how to calculate it, and how to manage the risk.

8 min read
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›What is impermanent loss?›How impermanent loss is calculated›When impermanent loss becomes permanent›How trading fees offset impermanent loss
BeginnerDeFi Basics

What is an Automated Market Maker (AMM)?

An Automated Market Maker (AMM) is the mechanism that powers every major decentralised exchange. Instead of matching buyers with sellers, AMMs use mathematical formulas and pooled liquidity to price and execute trades instantly. This guide explains how they work, the different AMM types, and the tradeoffs involved.

9 min read
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›How a traditional exchange works vs an AMM›The constant product formula (x × y = k)›Types of AMM models›Concentrated liquidity (Uniswap V3)
IntermediateDeFi Basics

What is MEV (Maximal Extractable Value)?

MEV, or Maximal Extractable Value, is the profit that can be captured by reordering, inserting, or censoring transactions in a block. From sandwich attacks to arbitrage bots, MEV affects every DeFi user. This guide explains what MEV is, how it works, and how to protect yourself.

10 min read
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›What MEV is and why it exists›The main types of MEV›How Flashbots changed MEV›How to protect yourself from MEV
BeginnerDeFi Basics

What is a Liquidity Pool in DeFi?

A liquidity pool is a smart contract holding reserves of tokens that allows DeFi protocols to offer instant, trustless trading, lending, and other financial services. Understanding liquidity pools is fundamental to understanding how almost all of DeFi works.

7 min read
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›What a liquidity pool does›How liquidity providers (LPs) work›Types of liquidity pools›Risks of providing liquidity
BeginnerDeFi Basics

What is TVL in DeFi? (Total Value Locked Explained)

TVL — Total Value Locked — is the most cited number in DeFi, appearing in every protocol ranking and news article. But what does it actually measure, how is it calculated, and what are its limitations? This guide gives you a complete understanding of TVL.

6 min read
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›What TVL measures›How TVL is calculated›TVL as of 2026›Limitations of TVL as a metric
BeginnerDeFi Basics

What is Slippage in DeFi?

Slippage is one of the most misunderstood concepts for DeFi beginners. It's the difference between the price you expect when submitting a swap and the price you actually receive. Understanding slippage — and setting it correctly — can save you money on every DeFi trade.

6 min read
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›Two types of slippage in DeFi›How slippage tolerance works›Recommended slippage settings›How to minimise slippage
BeginnerDeFi Basics

Best DeFi Wallets 2026: Top Crypto Wallets Compared

Choosing the right crypto wallet is the most important decision a DeFi user makes. This guide compares the top DeFi wallets of 2026 — from software wallets for everyday use to hardware wallets for maximum security — and recommends the best option for each type of user.

9 min read
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›What makes a good DeFi wallet?›MetaMask — The DeFi standard›Rabby Wallet — Best for active DeFi users›Hardware wallets — Ledger and Trezor
BeginnerDeFi Basics

Best DeFi Protocols for Beginners 2026

With hundreds of DeFi protocols competing for attention, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. This guide cuts through the noise to highlight the safest, most established protocols that beginners should consider for their first DeFi steps in 2026.

9 min read
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›What to look for in a beginner-friendly DeFi protocol›Lido Finance — ETH staking for all›Aave — DeFi lending and borrowing›Uniswap — Token swapping
IntermediateDeFi Strategies

Best Yield Farming Strategies in DeFi 2026

Yield farming is the practice of deploying crypto assets across DeFi protocols to earn returns. This guide covers the best yield farming strategies in 2026 — from conservative stablecoin deposits to advanced concentrated liquidity strategies — with honest risk assessments for each.

10 min read
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›Understanding yield sources in DeFi›Conservative strategies (low risk, 3-8% APY)›Moderate strategies (moderate risk, 8-20% APY)›Advanced strategies (higher risk, 20%+ APY)
BeginnerStablecoins

Best Stablecoins to Hold in 2026

Not all stablecoins are equal. USDT, USDC, DAI, USDe, and a dozen others all claim to maintain a $1 peg, but their risk profiles, yield opportunities, and use cases differ significantly. This guide helps you choose the right stablecoins for your DeFi strategy in 2026.

8 min read
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›Types of stablecoins: how they maintain their peg›USDC — Best for safety and compliance›USDT — Deepest liquidity›USDe (Ethena) — Yield-bearing stablecoin
IntermediateHow-To Guides

How to Provide Liquidity on Uniswap V3: Step-by-Step Guide

Uniswap V3 concentrated liquidity lets LPs earn more fees per dollar than any previous AMM model — but it requires understanding price ranges, NFT positions, and active management. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process.

12 min read
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›Before you start: what you need›Step-by-step: Creating a Uniswap V3 position›Understanding Uniswap V3 positions›Fee collection and position management
BeginnerHow-To Guides

How to Stake ETH with Lido: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Lido Finance lets you stake any amount of ETH without technical knowledge, lock-up periods, or the 32 ETH minimum required to run an Ethereum validator. This step-by-step guide covers everything from connecting your wallet to receiving stETH and using it in DeFi.

8 min read
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›What Lido does and how it works›Step-by-step: Staking ETH with Lido›How to unstake (convert stETH back to ETH)›Lido fees and staking yield
BeginnerHow-To Guides

How to Use a DEX Aggregator: 1inch, Jupiter & More

A DEX aggregator finds the best swap rate by splitting your trade across multiple liquidity sources. Whether you're on Ethereum, Arbitrum, or Solana, using an aggregator instead of a single DEX can save you meaningful amounts on larger trades. This guide explains how they work and how to use them.

7 min read
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›Why use a DEX aggregator?›Step-by-step: Using 1inch on Ethereum/L2›Best aggregators by blockchain›1inch Fusion — MEV-protected swaps
BeginnerDeFi Strategies

How to Earn Yield on Stablecoins in DeFi 2026

Stablecoins sitting idle in a wallet earn nothing. DeFi offers several ways to earn 4-15% APY on stablecoins — from simple lending on Aave to yield-optimised vaults on Morpho and fixed-rate strategies on Pendle. This guide covers the best options and their risk profiles.

9 min read
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›The stablecoin yield landscape in 2026›Option 1: Aave — The simplest and safest approach›Option 2: Sky DSR — Decentralised savings rate›Option 3: Morpho — Optimised lending yields
BeginnerHow-To Guides

How to Track Your DeFi Portfolio (Best Tools 2026)

Managing a DeFi portfolio across multiple chains and protocols is complex. The right portfolio tracker gives you a clear view of everything you hold, what you're earning, and where your funds are deployed. This guide covers the best free tools available in 2026.

7 min read
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›What a DeFi portfolio tracker shows you›DeBank — Best for comprehensive DeFi tracking›Zerion — Best interface and mobile app›Zapper — Multi-chain with built-in DeFi actions

All guides on this page are produced for general educational purposes only. Decentralized Finance is a research and editorial publication, not a financial advisory service. Cryptocurrency and DeFi products carry significant risk — including the potential loss of all funds. Nothing on this site constitutes personalised financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions.