If you're looking to buy Reservoir (DAM), you've come to the right place. Reservoir is a decentralized stablecoin protocol built on Ethereum, designed to bring scalable, yield-bearing stablecoin...
Buy Reservoir (DAM) — A simple guide
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DeFi
Decentralized finance, or DeFi, uses blockchain applications to provide services such as swapping tokens, lending, borrowing and supplying liquidity. A wallet interacts with smart contracts that hold assets and apply the protocol’s rules.
Browse the buying guides
All buying guidesBuy Seamless Protocol (SEAM) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Seamless Protocol (SEAM), you've come to the right place. SEAM is the governance token powering Seamless Protocol, the first native decentralized lending and borrowing...
Buy THORWallet (TITN) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy THORWallet (TITN), you've come to the right place. TITN is the native token of THORWallet, a DeFi-focused neobank and wallet platform built on Base that's been gaining...
Buy Shido Network (SHIDO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Shido Network (SHIDO), you've come to the right place. SHIDO is a DeFi-focused project operating across the Ethereum and Osmosis ecosystems, making it an interesting option...
Buy Haedal Protocol (HAEDAL) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Haedal Protocol (HAEDAL), you've come to the right place. HAEDAL is a liquid staking governance token built on the Sui blockchain, sitting at the intersection of DeFi and...
Buy GIZA (GIZA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy GIZA (GIZA), the token powering one of DeFi's most ambitious AI-driven trading protocol ecosystems, you've come to the right place. GIZA sits at the intersection of...
Buy Covalent X Token (CXT) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Covalent X Token (CXT), you've come to the right place. CXT sits at the intersection of AI, blockchain infrastructure, and decentralized finance — making it one of the more...
Buy Pangolin (PNG) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Pangolin (PNG), you've come to the right place. Pangolin is a community-driven decentralized exchange built on the Avalanche network, offering fast, low-cost trading for...
Buy Ranger (RNGR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Ranger (RNGR), you've landed in the right place. Ranger is a DEX aggregator built on Solana, designed to make decentralized trading smoother and more efficient for everyday...
Buy Hydranet (HDN) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Hydranet (HDN), you've come to the right place. Hydranet is a pioneering decentralized trading network that combines the best of centralized and decentralized exchanges —...
Buy ZygoSwap (ZSWAP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy ZygoSwap (ZSWAP), you've come to the right place. ZygoSwap is a decentralized exchange built on BNB Chain that's been drawing attention for its low trading fees and token...
Buy Polkastarter (POLS) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Polkastarter (POLS), you've come to the right place. Polkastarter is a decentralized launchpad that helps early-stage crypto projects raise funds and reach new communities —...
What are DeFi tokens?
Browse the buying guidesAccess can be open, although websites, asset issuers and individual products may impose restrictions. DeFi describes the service, not a guarantee that every part of it is decentralized.
How it works
Tokens can represent a vote, a deposit, a debt position or a claim on a pool of assets. These roles are not interchangeable. A governance token may have no right to protocol revenue, while a liquidity-pool token exposes its holder to the assets and pricing of that pool. Returns can come from borrower interest, trading fees or newly issued incentives; unusually high rewards need a clear explanation. Smart-contract failures, price-oracle errors, liquidation and bridge dependencies can all affect a position.
Explore the foundations
DeFi Explained: Swaps, Lending and the Risks Between Them↗
Decentralized exchanges: check a swap before you sign↗
Liquidity pools: inspect the position before you deposit↗
Sources and further reading
A little groundwork goes a long way
Before your next purchase or transfer, understand who controls access, where your crypto is going and what the trade will actually cost.
Protect access to your crypto
An exchange account and a self-custody wallet need different safeguards. Protect exchange logins with a unique password and strong two-factor authentication. For self-custody, your recovery backup is what lets you restore access.
Keep recovery words offline and private. A support agent or website asking for them is a reason to stop.
See a recovery example
Your phone breaks. An exchange may help you recover your account after identity checks. A self-custody wallet cannot reset your recovery phrase. Check your wallet’s official backup instructions before relying on it.
Choose the right transfer network
The asset, token version and network must be supported at the destination. A familiar ticker or a matching address format is not enough. Read the receiving platform’s deposit instructions before selecting a withdrawal network.
Check the address, any required memo or tag, fees and minimums. Consider a small test transfer first.
See a network example
Your destination accepts USDC on Ethereum. Selecting a cheaper network at the sending exchange does not make it an Ethereum transfer. Use a network both ends support; an ordinary withdrawal does not bridge tokens.
Understand the price you pay
Trading fees are only part of the cost. The spread, available liquidity and withdrawal charges also matter. A market order prioritizes execution; a limit order controls the price but may remain unfilled or fill only partly.
Check the order preview and the amount you will receive, then compare the full cost of your intended purchase and withdrawal.
Work through a cost example
Hypothetical example: a $200 trade with a 0.1% trading fee costs $0.20 in trading fees. A separate $5 withdrawal fee brings those charges to $5.20. Spread or slippage may add more; these are not quoted exchange rates.
