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Compound
Lending & Borrowing$COMPTVL: $3B+

Compound

About Compound

Compound is a pioneering DeFi lending protocol that popularised the concept of algorithmic, autonomous interest rates. Compound V3 (Comet) simplified the protocol to single-borrowable-asset markets with improved risk management. The COMP token was one of the first governance tokens to be widely distributed through liquidity mining, helping launch the 'DeFi Summer' of 2020.

Key Features

  • Algorithmic interest rates
  • Single-asset borrowing (V3)
  • Automated liquidations
  • Governance via COMP
  • Protocol reserves
  • Battle-tested security
  • Multiple market deployments

Risks

  • Smart contract risk
  • Interest rate volatility
  • Governance capture risk
  • Oracle dependency
  • Liquidation risk for borrowers

More Lending & Borrowing Protocols

MakerDAO (Sky)

MakerDAO (Sky)

Lending & Borrowing · TVL: $8B+

MakerDAO (rebranded to Sky in 2024) is the protocol behind DAI, one of the oldest and most widely used decentralised stablecoins. Users lock collateral (ETH, WBTC, real-world assets) in Maker Vaults to mint DAI. MakerDAO has been a cornerstone of DeFi since 2017, and its transition to the 'Endgame' plan envisions SubDAOs and increased real-world asset (RWA) integration.

Spark Protocol

Spark Protocol

Lending & Borrowing · TVL: $2B+

Spark Protocol is a DeFi lending platform built as a SubDAO of MakerDAO/Sky. It enables direct borrowing of DAI at the DSR rate and lending/borrowing of major crypto assets. Spark leverages Maker's infrastructure while providing a user-friendly frontend and competitive rates.

Morpho

Morpho

Lending & Borrowing · TVL: $2B+

Morpho is a lending protocol optimiser that sits on top of existing protocols like Aave and Compound, matching lenders and borrowers peer-to-peer to offer improved rates for both sides. Morpho Blue, its standalone lending primitive, allows permissionless market creation with customisable risk parameters and oracle choices.

Aave

Aave

Lending & Borrowing · TVL: $10B+

Aave is the largest decentralised lending and borrowing protocol in DeFi. Users can supply assets to earn yield or borrow against their collateral. Aave V3 introduced efficiency mode (eMode), isolation mode for new assets, and cross-chain portals. Flash loans — uncollateralised loans repaid within a single transaction — were pioneered by Aave and remain one of DeFi's most innovative features.