Cryptocurrency
DeFi as a solution in times of crisis

The 2020s have been a challenging decade so far, yet the transformative power of blockchain technology offers a better path forward.
Born from crisis
Around the globe, times are tough for many everyday people. Increases in cost of living minimized any growth in wages last year as inflation continues to take its toll. Additionally, world powers such as China and Russia are increasingly challenging the dominance of the USD as geopolitical tensions flare up.
In this precarious new world, decentralized cryptocurrencies can potentially be a source of stability and freedom. Bitcoin first emerged in the wake of the 2008 banking crisis and the impact of events like the Lehman Brothers collapse is evident in the writings of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
While the subprime mortgage crisis was in full swing in February 2009, Nakamoto proposed an “e-currency based on cryptographic proof” that enables secure and effortless transactions without the need for a trusted third-party middleman. But has crypto lived up to its promise so far, and can DeFi help solve the ongoing instability of the 2020s?
A better system is possible
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin indeed help overcome issues with the current banking and monetary system in several different ways. For example, self-custody of DeFi assets protects individual investors against risks like institutional insolvency and bank runs. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023 shows that even large banks are still vulnerable to failure. But instead of requiring trust that their money is still there, Web3 users can verify their holdings directly on chain.
Additionally, blockchain technology allows for a more efficient and decentralized financial landscape. The peer-to-peer network pioneered by Bitcoin means that investors can hold their own assets and transact directly with no middlemen and significantly lower fees. And unlike with traditional banks, the rise of DeFi sectors like DEXs, lending and liquid staking means individuals can now have full control over exactly how their deposited assets are used.
Inflation is yet another ongoing problem that crypto and DeFi help solve. Unlike fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have a fixed total supply. This means that your holdings in BTC cannot be easily diluted like if you hold a currency such as USD. While a return to the gold standard of years past is sometimes proposed as a potential solution to inflation, adopting crypto as legal tender would have a similar effect while also delivering a range of other benefits like enhanced efficiency.
CBDCs: A potential alternative?
As global superpowers battle for financial supremacy, everyday people around the world can benefit from decentralized and censorship-resistant assets like Bitcoin. Yet because cryptocurrencies pose a threat to the dominance of the current monetary system, many governments are taking measures to issue their own centralized digital currency.
Institutions such as the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank have been actively exploring the issuance of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). In some ways, it is possible to equate the benefits of CBDCs with the utility of crypto. For example, a so-called digital dollar could help deliver faster and cheaper transactions while expanding access to the financial system.
However, CBDCs lack several of the key benefits of cryptocurrency. For one, they are still highly centralized like traditional fiat currencies. This means that true self-custody is not possible and your assets can be frozen by financial authorities at any time. CBDCs may also not help stem issues with inflation since they still allow central banks to print money through measures like quantitative easing. Overall, CBDCs only deliver a fraction of the benefits of decentralized cryptocurrencies.
Why not CEXs?
The Web3 community proposes a better alternative. With decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, ordinary people can enjoy the benefits of digital money without facing the same problems that plague existing fiat currencies. Especially in times of crisis, DeFi is a great way to keep your money secure and under your direct control. Yet in order for DeFi to truly explode, the user experience needs to catch up with centralized finance.
Currently, the easiest way to buy and send crypto is with a centralized exchange (CEX). Like CBDCs, users of platforms like Coinbase and Binance must sacrifice some transparency and decentralization for a streamlined user experience. But events like the FTX collapse show centralized exchanges can become over-leveraged and insolvent just like traditional banks. Since many users are unaware of the advantages of DeFi and self custody, further education is key.
While writing down your seed phrase in a secure location is harder than quickly making an account on a CEX, the benefits are definitely worth it. When you have self custody, you can always track your assets directly on the blockchain and even move your funds to a hardware wallet for extra security. Plus, investors can make solid passive income on their investments at the same time with low-volatility DeFi strategies such as stablecoin farming.
DeFi could be the answer
In addition to continued instability within our financial system, the 2020s have also featured a heightened level of geopolitical turmoil. However, decentralized finance offers the chance to safeguard our financial freedom. We must stand up together to build a fair digital economy and a better fiscal world. While DeFi already offers a range of revolutionary opportunities for small investors, the community needs to keep pushing for more applications, improved education and a better user experience in order to achieve worldwide mass adoption.
Bitcoin helped pioneer this new era, but the future envisioned by Satoshi Nakamoto requires our continued efforts. Once the mainstream population can access DeFi as easily as walking into a traditional brick and mortar bank, the sky is the limit for Web3 adoption. In the meantime, it’s important to maintain a critical lens about the potential downsides of CEXs and government attempts to replace crypto with their own watered-down digital currencies.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
Wolfgang Rückerl is the CEO of Istari Vision and Entity.global. His expertise is in Web3 startups, DeFi and GameFi.
This article was published through Cointelegraph Innovation Circle, a vetted organization of senior executives and experts in the blockchain technology industry who are building the future through the power of connections, collaboration and thought leadership. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Cointelegraph.
Cryptocurrency
Coinbase Tanks 11% Pre-Market After $1.5B Q2 Revenue Miss

Coinbase shares fell sharply after the company reported second-quarter earnings that missed expectations. Total revenue for the quarter came in at $1.5 billion, representing a 26% decline from the previous quarter.
The shortfall was largely driven by weaker-than-expected transaction revenue, which fell 39% quarter-over-quarter to $764 million.
Missing Expectations
In the official release, Coinbase revealed that its subscription and services revenue also declined 6% to $656 million. Despite efforts to reduce variable costs, operating expenses climbed 15% to $1.5 billion. Coinbase attributed this largely to the $307 million hit related to the data breach disclosed in May.
The crypto exchange recorded a net income of $1.4 billion, but this figure included $1.5 billion in pre-tax unrealized gains from strategic investments, including in Circle, as well as a $362 million pre-tax gain from its crypto investment portfolio. On an adjusted basis, net income stood at just $33 million, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $512 million.
Coinbase’s trading activity also underperformed the broader crypto spot market, as global and US crypto spot volumes declined 31% and 32% respectively. Meanwhile, its total trading volume fell 40% to $237 billion, and the consumer segment witnessed a 45% drop to $43 billion.
Consumer transaction revenue plunged 41% to $650 million, as volume shifted toward Simple trades amid low volatility. Institutional transaction revenue also saw a similar pattern, down 38% in both volume and revenue.
While Base Chain activity grew, other transaction revenue dropped 21% as average revenue per transaction declined.
As of the close on the previous trading day, Coinbase (COIN) shares were priced at $377.76, up slightly by $0.28. However, pre-market trading shows a sharp decline, with the stock down $42.30 (-11.20%) to $335.46. This steep drop suggests a strong negative reaction from investors, likely in response to recent earnings results.
Despite grappling with declining revenues and rising costs, Coinbase is doubling down on product innovation.
“Everything App”
Earlier this month, Coinbase rebranded its Wallet as the Base app, launching a crypto-focused “everything app” that merges trading, social media, USDC payments, mini-apps, and tokenized posts.
Announced at its “A New Day One” conference, the app runs on Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 network and integrates Farcaster for social feeds, Zora for post tokenization, and encrypted XMTP chat. Users can earn from tips, interact with AI agents, and make one-tap payments.
The platform also introduced Base Pay for Shopify merchants and plans 1% USDC cashback in the US. The app is in beta, while a full public release and developer tools are expected soon.
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Cryptocurrency
Dogecoin Slides 8% but Long-Term Channel Holds, Can DOGE Rebound?

TL;DR
- Dogecoin dropped to $0.20, moving in a $0.23 to $0.20 range during heavy selling.
- Analysts see support in the long-term channel and a wedge pattern aiming for $0.265.
- Large holders bought 310 million coins, while Bit Origin added 40 million to reserves.
Dogecoin Records Sharp Daily Decline
Dogecoin (DOGE) fell 8% in the past 24 hours, dropping from $0.22 to $0.21. This was one of the steepest daily moves for the token in July. The price action moved within a $0.23 to $0.20 range, facing resistance at the top and heavy selling near the session close.
However, trading volumes spiked, with a midnight surge to 1.25 billion DOGE, which points to large liquidations and cascading sell orders from leveraged positions.
Dogecoin trades at $0.20 as of press time, down 11% over the past week, giving it a market cap of $31 billion.
Long-Term Channel Remains Intact
Trader Tardigrade shared a 1-month chart showing DOGE inside a long-term ascending channel that has held since 2014. DOGE has often bounced from the lower boundary of this channel, shown in pink on the chart.
$Doge/M1#Dogecoin Long term Channel has been established pic.twitter.com/m8nfq29Q8M
— Trader Tardigrade (@TATrader_Alan) August 1, 2025
Meanwhile, the current price is near the lower-middle part of the channel, an area that has led to multi-month rallies when the trend held. Dogecoin’s long-term structure stays intact while it trades within this ascending channel, even after the recent decline.
In addition, Trader Tardigrade also noted that Dogecoin’s monthly candle closed as the third consecutive bullish engulfing candle, which he described as a setup for a potential “move to Valhalla.”
Short-Term Wedge and Institutional Activity
Ali Martinez noted that DOGE may be forming a falling wedge on the 1-hour chart, with a projected target of $0.265. A move above $0.229–$0.230 would confirm bullish momentum, while $0.215–$0.210 remains key support if the wedge fails.
Dogecoin $DOGE could be forming a falling wedge, which projects a target of $0.265! pic.twitter.com/P9WQbMrXfI
— Ali (@ali_charts) July 31, 2025
Institutional wallets acquired 310 million DOGE during the correction. Bit Origin added 40 million DOGE to its treasury under a $500 million diversification program. Broader crypto markets remain pressured by macroeconomic uncertainty, with inflation and equity risk shaping short-term demand.
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Cryptocurrency
Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) Presale Picks Up Pace as Ethereum (ETH) Hovers Over $3,600

[PRESS RELEASE – Covina, United States, August 1st, 2025]
Within the Ethereum ecosystem, Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) has entered its presale phase. Described as a meme token with integrated utility and cultural references, $PEPD introduces a tokenomics structure intended for long-term application. Certain Ethereum wallet holders have initiated ETH transfers to the presale, indicating early transactional activity.
Overview of $PEPD’s Positioning
Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) enters the market as a parody token referencing central banking themes, aiming to engage users through cultural commentary and decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanisms. Unlike traditional meme tokens, which often adopt simplified or repetitive token structures, $PEPD integrates design elements that combine cultural motifs associated with Pepecoin and components of DeFi architecture.
Comparison to Prior Meme Tokens
Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) enters the Ethereum ecosystem following the emergence of other meme tokens such as Pepecoin ($PEPE), $BONK, $LILPEPE, and $HYPER. The $PEPD model incorporates a tokenomics framework that includes a burn mechanism framed as a commentary on centralization. Its listing on CoinMarketCap has contributed to broader visibility. On-chain data indicates that several large Ethereum wallets have begun transacting with the token during its presale phase.
Pepe Dollar Presale – ETH’s Capital Rotation
Pepe Dollar’s presale architecture and project identity offer a compelling setup:
Presale Fundamentals:
- Current Price: $0.004688
- Tokens Sold: 166,938,905
- Next Presale Price (Stage 2): $0.006495
- Launch Price: $0.03695
Tokenomics and Supply
Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) will have a fixed supply of 3.6951 billion tokens. According to the project, 29% of the total supply is scheduled to be permanently removed at launch through a mechanism termed the “Federal Burn,” which is framed as a symbolic reference to traditional inflationary monetary systems.
Additional details disclosed by the development team include:
- No developer tax mechanisms
- No backdoor unlock functions
- A publicly documented tokenomics model
Ethereum-Native Infrastructure
Pepe Dollar is designed to launch natively on Ethereum and integrate with existing Ethereum-based DeFi tools. The protocol includes functionality to support a meme asset minting platform, enabling users to create, deploy, and govern new assets using $PEPD. The project describes itself as operating at the intersection of cultural commentary and decentralized finance.
Project Links and Official Channels
About Pepe Dollar ($PEPD)
Pepe Dollar ($PEPD) is a decentralized Layer-2 payment infrastructure designed for the meme economy. Positioned as a satirical digital asset, $PEPD offers an alternative approach to traditional financial systems and aims to facilitate value creation within decentralized ecosystems.
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