If you're looking to buy Bifrost (BNC), you've come to the right place. Bifrost is a multi-chain liquid staking infrastructure project that's building yield layers for stablecoins, real-world...
Buy Bifrost (BNC) — 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 QBX (QBX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy QBX (QBX), the native token powering the qiibee Rewards Chain and its decentralized loyalty payment infrastructure, you've come to the right place. QBX sits at the heart of...
Buy xExchange (MEX) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy xExchange (MEX), you've come to the right place. MEX is the native token of xExchange, a decentralized exchange built on the MultiversX blockchain, and it plays a central...
Buy WELF (WELF) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy WELF (WELF), a private banking ecosystem token bridging traditional finance with the world of digital assets, you've come to the right place. WELF sits at the intersection...
Buy DFI.money (YFII) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy DFI.money (YFII), you've come to the right place. YFII is a DeFi yield aggregator token that's carved out its own niche in the decentralized finance space, and it's...
Buy Flamingo Finance (FLM) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Flamingo Finance (FLM), you've come to the right place. FLM is the native token of Flamingo Finance, a DeFi protocol built on the NEO blockchain that combines decentralized...
Buy Ethervista (VISTA) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Ethervista (VISTA), you've come to the right place. VISTA is the native token of the EthervistaDEX, a decentralized exchange built on Ethereum that introduces a unique...
Buy Mintlayer (ML) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Mintlayer (ML), you've come to the right place. Mintlayer is a Bitcoin layer 2 protocol that's carving out a unique space by bringing DeFi, smart contracts, and...
Buy Hifi Finance (HIFI) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy Hifi Finance (HIFI), you've come to the right place. Hifi Finance is a decentralized lending protocol built on Ethereum that brings fixed-rate borrowing to DeFi — a feature...
Buy AirSwap (AST) — A simple guide
If you're looking to buy AirSwap (AST), you've come to the right place. AirSwap is a decentralized exchange protocol built on Ethereum that lets users trade tokens directly peer-to-peer — no order...
Buy LIQUIDIUM•TOKEN (Runes) (LIQ) — A simple guide
If you're looking to get exposure to Bitcoin-native DeFi through a project that's building real infrastructure, you've landed in the right place. LIQUIDIUM•TOKEN (LIQ) is the native token of...
Buy Rai Reflex Index (RAI) — A simple guide
Looking to buy Rai Reflex Index (RAI)? This guide walks you through purchasing RAI on exchanges like Gate.io, Mexc. What Is Rai Reflex Index? Rai Reflex Index (RAI) is a cryptocurrency available on...
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.
