If you're looking to get exposure to Bitcoin-native DeFi, ALEX Lab (ALEX) is one of the more interesting projects worth understanding. Built on the Stacks layer for Bitcoin, ALEX brings lending,...
Buy ALEX Lab (ALEX) — 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 Hydro Protocol (HDRO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Hydro Protocol (HDRO), you've come to the right place. HDRO is building out liquid staking and LSDFi infrastructure on the Injective blockchain — a niche that's gaining real...
Buy Router Protocol (ROUTE) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Router Protocol (ROUTE), you've come to the right place. Router Protocol is building the infrastructure layer that lets liquidity flow freely between blockchains — a...
Buy Saber (SBR) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Saber (SBR), the governance token behind one of Solana's most established automated market makers, you've come to the right place. SBR plays a central role in the Saber...
Buy BarnBridge (BOND) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy BarnBridge (BOND), you've come to the right place. BarnBridge is a DeFi protocol built around tokenizing and managing risk across crypto markets — an increasingly important...
Buy Piteas (PTS) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Piteas (PTS), you've come to the right place. Piteas is a DEX aggregator built on PulseChain, designed to help users get the best possible prices when swapping tokens across...
Buy Keep3rV1 (KP3R) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Keep3rV1 (KP3R), you've come to the right place. KP3R is a DeFi infrastructure token with a unique role in the Ethereum ecosystem, and it's currently available on MEXC....
Buy Lnfi Network (LN) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Lnfi Network (LN), you've come to the right place. Lnfi Network is an ambitious project bringing multi-asset DeFi capabilities to the Bitcoin Lightning Network — a space...
Buy Turbos Finance (TURBOS) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Turbos Finance (TURBOS), you've come to the right place. Turbos Finance is a decentralized exchange built on the Sui blockchain, backed by notable names like Jump Crypto and...
Buy Looping Collective (LOOP) — A simple guide
If you're looking to get your hands on Looping Collective (LOOP), you've come to the right place. LOOP is the governance and utility token at the heart of the Looping Collective ecosystem, powering...
Buy Overlay Protocol (OVL) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Overlay Protocol (OVL), you've come to the right place. OVL is the native token of a unique DeFi derivatives protocol that lets users take long or short positions on...
Buy Kyo (KYO) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Kyo (KYO), you've come to the right place. Kyo is a liquidity infrastructure protocol built for the Superchain ecosystem, combining decentralized trading, cross-chain...
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.
