Cryptocurrencies

The Democratic Nature of DeFi: Real or Imagined?

In the best of times DeFi is a utopia of free exchange, but in the worst of times, its’ investors want answers

Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg
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There’s a tension in crypto that Stacy-Marie is fascinated by. On the one hand, there’s this prevailing belief in the necessity, indeed the superiority, of decentralization. On the other hand there’s reality: when things hit the fan, folks respond by seeking a bailout, by demanding someone - perhaps even a regulator! - hold fraudsters accountable, and by consolidating around the strongest and biggest players in the market. In an industry so prone to spectacular scams and expensive hacks, this tension is ever-present. Can you simultaneously reject all forms of centralized control and then demand help from centralized authorities in times of trouble? Bloomberg Reporter Emily Nicolle joins this episode for more on this.