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Compound is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that allows users to lend or borrow selected cryptocurrencies. The platform operates on the Ethereum blockchain, enabling users to earn interest on their digital assets or borrow against them without the need for a traditional financial intermediary.
Compound was founded in 2017 by Robert Leshner and Geoffrey Hayes. Leshner, an economist by training, serves as the CEO, while Hayes, a seasoned technologist, is the CTO. They lead a dedicated team of engineers and specialists at Compound Labs, the software development company behind the Compound protocol.
The native token of the Compound platform is COMP. The total supply is capped at 10 million COMP tokens. As of now, approximately 3.3 million tokens are in circulation. The distribution of COMP tokens is designed to incentivize user participation and decentralize the governance of the platform.
COMP tokens can be purchased on various cryptocurrency exchanges, including popular platforms like Coinbase Pro, Binance, and Huobi Global. These platforms allow trading of COMP against other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, Indian rupee, and Australian dollar.
Compound is primarily used for earning interest on cryptocurrencies and borrowing against them. By depositing their digital assets into Compound's liquidity pool, users can earn interest over time. Alternatively, they can borrow against their deposited assets, providing they maintain the required collateral ratio. COMP tokens, earned or purchased, are used to participate in the platform's governance, allowing holders to propose, debate, and vote on changes to the protocol.
Compound continues to innovate in the DeFi space. Recently, the platform surpassed $800 million in total locked value, a testament to its growing popularity. Technological advancements include the introduction of cTokens, which represent a user's stake in the liquidity pool and can be redeemed for the underlying asset at any time. This mechanism allows the distribution of interest to lenders and ensures the platform's pools are overcollateralized, providing a safety net for lenders and an earning opportunity for liquidators.
Compound has been making significant strides in its technological advancements. The platform recently launched a new version of its decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol, Compound III, which emphasizes security and scalability. This upgrade allows users to borrow USD Coin (USDC) using various cryptocurrencies as collateral. Additionally, Compound has gone multi-chain, expanding its reach across different blockchain networks.
Despite a bearish downtrend, Compound has shown resilience with an 85% increase over the past year. However, a recent bug in the protocol's code led to a temporary freeze of the Compound Ether (cETH) market. This incident underscores the importance of the platform's ongoing efforts to improve security and stability.
Compound has been actively engaging with its developer community through regular calls and discussions. These interactions aim to foster innovation and collaboration within the platform. Looking ahead, Compound plans to introduce more governance changes and limit the protocol's supported tokens to ensure a more streamlined and efficient system.
Compound plays a significant role in the broader crypto market, with its native token being listed on various trading platforms. Despite facing challenges, the platform continues to attract interest from traders and investors alike. If you're wondering where to buy Compound, it's available on most major cryptocurrency exchanges.