Top 5 Decentralized Apps You Should Know

The decentralized finance (DeFi) space has been booming with innovation and new applications in recent years. The decentralized nature of these applications offers users more control over their assets and financial transactions, while also offering improved security and privacy compared to centralized solutions. With so many DeFi apps available, it can be difficult to keep track of the most important and useful ones.
In this article, we'll be introducing you to the top 5 DeFi applications you should know about. From Aave,Tornado Cash, Uniswap, Curve, to Convex Finance, we'll take a deep dive into the workings of each app and what sets them apart. Whether you're a seasoned DeFi user or just starting to explore the space, this article is a must-read for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in decentralized finance.
1. Aave - The Decentralized Money Market
Are you looking to make your crypto work for you, instead of just holding it tight? If yes, then Aave is the decentralized app for you. Aave is a non-custodial money market platform where you can lend or borrow cryptocurrencies with ease.
What is Aave Exactly?
Aave is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform built on the Ethereum blockchain. It offers a range of financial services like borrowing, lending, and stablecoin generation, all without the need for intermediaries. With Aave, you have full control over your funds, and you can access these services from anywhere in the world.
How does Borrowing and Lending Work on Aave?
Borrowing and lending on Aave work like a traditional money market, with a few twists. You can lend your crypto assets to others and earn interest, or you can borrow crypto assets from others and pay interest. The interest rate on Aave is dynamic and is based on supply and demand. When there is a high demand for a particular asset, the interest rate will go up, and when there is a surplus, the interest rate will come down.
How to Use Aave?
To start using Aave, you will need to connect your wallet to the platform. You can use a variety of wallets like MetaMask, Gnosis Safe, or Argent, to name a few. Once you have connected your wallet, you can start lending or borrowing. If you want to lend your crypto assets, select the asset you want to lend and set the interest rate you're comfortable with. If you want to borrow, select the asset you want to borrow and the amount, and the platform will show you the interest rate and the amount you need to pay back.
What Networks Does Aave Support?
Aave supports the Ethereum network and its assets, including ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and stablecoins. It also supports the Polygon network, a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which allows for faster and cheaper transactions.
What Tokens are Available on Aave?
Aave supports a wide range of assets, including the most popular cryptocurrencies like ETH, USDC, DAI, and many more. It also supports a variety of ERC-20 tokens, making it one of the most comprehensive DeFi platforms in the market. The list of assets supported by Aave keeps growing, so be sure to check the platform for updates.
So there you have it, Aave, the decentralized money market where you can lend, borrow, or earn interest on your crypto assets. With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of assets.
2. Tornado Cash: Decentralized Privacy at its Finest
Alright, buckle up folks, because we're about to take a ride through the world of decentralized privacy with Tornado Cash. If you're all about keeping your crypto transactions under wraps, then this one's for you.
What is Tornado.Cash?
Tornado.Cash is a decentralized platform that allows you to make anonymous transfers of Ethereum and other ERC-20 tokens. Think of it like a privacy tool for your crypto transactions. By routing your transfers through Tornado Cash, you can add an extra layer of anonymity to your transactions and keep them from being traced back to you.
How does Tornado.Cash Work?
Tornado.Cash uses a smart contract to allow users to deposit Ethereum or ERC-20 tokens into a "pool". This pool acts as a mix of all the funds deposited into it, making it much more difficult for anyone to trace the origin of any one transaction. When you want to make a transfer, you simply withdraw the desired amount from the pool, which gets sent to the recipient as an anonymous transfer.
Here’s how to use Tornado.Cash:
Deposit: To start with, you need to deposit your crypto assets into the Tornado.Cash smart contract. This can be done by sending your crypto to the smart contract address.
Mixing: Once your assets are deposited, TornadoCash will automatically mix them with other assets in the same pool. This is done to break the link between your deposit and the assets you receive.
Withdrawal: After the mixing process, you can then withdraw the mixed assets to a new address, which is different from the one you used to deposit. This way, your assets are completely anonymous and the transaction history can’t be traced back to you.
Tornado.Cash’s zero-knowledge proof technology ensures that the whole process is secure and private. You can use Tornado Cash to exchange crypto assets without worrying about your personal information being leaked or your assets being traced.
Additionally, Tornado.Cash offers a simple and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. You can easily deposit and withdraw your assets, mix them, and receive mixed assets in just a few clicks.
What Networks Does Tornado Cash Support?
Since its inception in 2019, Tornado Cash has been operating on the Ethereum blockchain, offering diversified fixed amount pools for six tokens (ETH, DAI, cDAI, USDC, USDT & WBTC) handled by the Ethereum blockchain. However, in June 2021, Tornado Cash smart contracts were also deployed on other side-chains and blockchains, enabling the tool to support new tokens and benefit from Layer-2 advantages such as faster and cheaper transactions. As of today, Tornado Cash supports the following networks: Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon Network, Gnosis Chain (formerly xDAI Chain), Avalanche Mainnet, Optimism (as a Layer-2 for ETH), and Arbitrum One (as a Layer-2 for ETH).
What Tokens are Available on Tornado Cash?
Tornado Cash supports various tokens, including ETH, DAI, cDAI, USDC, USDT, WBTC, BNB, MATIC, xDAI, AVAX, and more. This diverse range of token support makes Tornado Cash an attractive option for those who want to transact crypto assets privately and securely. The platform is constantly expanding its token offerings, so be sure to check the website for updates.
So, if you're looking for a decentralized platform to add some extra privacy to your crypto transactions, then look no further than Tornado Cash. With its easy-to-use platform and compatibility with a wide range of tokens, it's no wonder why it's considered one of the top decentralized apps out there.
3. Uniswap - #1 Decentralized Exchange
Uniswap is decentralized exchange that's shaking up the DeFi scene! If you're tired of dealing with centralized exchanges with their slow withdrawals, high fees, and security concerns, then Uniswap is for you.
What is Uniswap?
Uniswap is a decentralized exchange built on the Ethereum blockchain. It allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies without the need for intermediaries. Uniswap is powered by an automated market maker (AMM) algorithm that sets the exchange rate based on the supply and demand of the tokens being traded. This means that you don't have to worry about order books, slippage, or liquidity issues.
How to Provide Liquidity to Uniswap
Uniswap allows you to earn money by providing liquidity to the platform. When you provide liquidity, you are essentially pooling your assets with others, creating a larger pool of assets for others to trade. In return for your contribution, you receive a portion of the trading fees generated from the platform. This is a great way to earn passive income from your crypto assets.
How to Exchange Tokens using Uniswap
To start using Uniswap, you will need to connect your wallet to the platform. You can use a variety of wallets like MetaMask, Gnosis Safe, or Argent, to name a few. Once you have connected your wallet, you can start exchanging. To exchange tokens, select the two tokens you want to trade and the amount, and the platform will calculate the exchange rate and show you the amount of tokens you will receive.
Instructions to Adding Liquidity to Uniswap
Adding liquidity to Uniswap is easy and straightforward. First, select the two tokens you want to add liquidity for. Then, deposit an equal value of each token into the pool. Once you have deposited your tokens, you will receive a portion of the pool's tokens, proportional to your contribution. This will give you a share of the trading fees generated from the platform.
What Networks Does Uniswap Support?
Uniswap currently supports the Ethereum network and its assets, including ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and stablecoins. It also supports the Polygon network, a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which allows for faster and cheaper transactions.
Thats a wrap for, Uniswap, the decentralized exchange that's changing the game. With its ease of use, low fees, and the ability to earn passive income.
4. Curve - The Stablecoin Specialist
Hold on to your stablecoins, folks! We've got a DeFi platform that's taking the crypto world by storm, and it's called Curve.
What is Curve?
Curve is a decentralized exchange that specializes in stablecoins. It's built on the Ethereum blockchain and utilizes a unique liquidity pool algorithm to provide users with the best exchange rates for their trades. Curve's mission is to make stablecoin trading accessible and efficient for everyone.
How Does Curve Work?
Curve's unique liquidity pool algorithm ensures that users always get the best exchange rates for their trades. This is achieved by having a well-balanced liquidity pool that's optimized for low slippage and high liquidity. Curve also uses a flash loan mechanism, which allows users to take out a loan in one token and repay it in another, without having to go through a traditional lending platform. This opens up a whole new world of trading and liquidity opportunities.
How to Use Curve:
Getting started with Curve is easy. All you need is a web3 wallet, like MetaMask, Gnosis Safe, or Argent, to connect to the platform. Once you're connected, you can start trading. Select the tokens you want to trade, enter the amount, and Curve will show you the exchange rate and the amount of tokens you will receive. It's that simple!
What Networks Does Curve Support?
Curve currently supports the Ethereum network and its assets, including ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and stablecoins. It also supports the Polygon network, a layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum, which allows for faster and cheaper transactions.
What Tokens are Available on Curve?
Curve has a wide range of stablecoins available for trading, including USDC, DAI, USDT, and sUSD, to name a few. It's also constantly adding new stablecoins to its platform, making it the go-to destination for stablecoin trading.
Curve is a DeFi platform that's changing the game for stablecoin trading. With its unique liquidity pool algorithm, low slippage, and wide range of stablecoins, Curve is the platform to beat.
5. Convex Finance
What is Convex Finance?
Have you ever wished you could turn your crypto holdings into a rollercoaster ride? Well, buckle up because Convex Finance is here to fulfill that wish. Convex Finance is a decentralized finance platform that offers yield farming, liquidity provision, and trading all in one place.
How does Convex Finance Work?
Convex Finance combines the best of yield farming and trading to give you a unique and dynamic experience. By providing liquidity to different pools, users can earn rewards in the form of Convex tokens (CONV). The more liquidity you provide, the more rewards you earn. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can trade the tokens you earn for even higher returns.
How to Get Started with Convex Finance:
Ready to join the Convex Finance party? Here's what you need to know to get started:
- Connect your Web3 wallet to the Convex Finance platform
- Choose a liquidity pool to provide liquidity to and deposit your chosen tokens
- Start earning rewards in the form of CONV tokens
- Trade your CONV tokens for other assets to maximize your returns
What Networks Does Convex Finance Support?
Convex Finance currently supports the Binance Smart Chain and Ethereum network, so you can use your favorite Web3 wallet to connect.
What Tokens are Available on Convex Finance?
Convex Finance offers a variety of liquidity pools to choose from, with more being added regularly. Some of the current pools include BNB, BUSD, and ETH, so there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking for stability or big gains, Convex Finance has you covered.
And that's a wrap on Convex Finance! If you're looking for a new, exciting way to make your crypto holdings work for you, give Convex Finance a try. Who knows, you might just be able to turn your crypto into a wild ride.