If you're looking to buy Band (BAND), you've come to the right place. Band Protocol is a cross-chain data oracle platform that connects real-world data to blockchain applications and AI systems —...
Buy Band (BAND) — 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 Babylon (BABY) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Babylon (BABY), you've come to the right place. Babylon is a Bitcoin staking protocol that's caught serious attention from top-tier investors including Paradigm, Polychain...
Buy TronBank (TBK) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy TronBank (TBK), you've come to the right place. TBK is a DeFi token built on the TRON blockchain, designed to make on-chain transactions cheaper and more efficient through...
Buy Tellor Tributes (TRB) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Tellor Tributes (TRB), you've come to the right place. TRB is the native token of the Tellor oracle network, a project that plays a quiet but important role in powering...
Buy Pundi X (PUNDIX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Pundi X (PUNDIX), you've come to the right place. PUNDIX is a cryptocurrency built around making digital payments more accessible in the real world, and it's listed on...
Buy UMA (UMA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy UMA (UMA), you've come to the right place. UMA is a fascinating DeFi project that's building the infrastructure for decentralized financial contracts — think synthetic...
Buy Api3 (API3) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy API3, you've landed in the right place. API3 is the native token of the Api3 protocol, a project reshaping how real-world data reaches blockchain smart contracts through...
Buy Loopring (LRC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Loopring (LRC), you've come to the right place. LRC is the native token of one of Ethereum's most technically sophisticated Layer-2 decentralized exchanges, and it's...
Buy APEX (APEX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy APEX, the native token of ApeX Protocol, you've come to the right place. APEX powers one of the most feature-rich decentralized exchanges in the DeFi space, giving traders...
Buy SSV Network (SSV) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy SSV Network (SSV), you've come to the right place. SSV is the native token powering a decentralized Ethereum staking infrastructure that's gaining real traction in the DeFi...
Buy Rocket Pool (RPL) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Rocket Pool (RPL), you've come to the right place. RPL is the governance and utility token behind one of Ethereum's most respected decentralized liquid staking protocols — a...
Buy WorldAssets (INC) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy WorldAssets (INC), you've come to the right place. WorldAssets sits at the intersection of decentralized finance and real-world asset tokenization — one of the most...
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.
