Project overview

Uniswap is a decentralized exchange protocol using Automated Market Makers (AMMs) to allow users to trade tokens directly from their wallets. The protocol pioneered AMM-based trading and remains the largest DEX by volume, operating on Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, and other major chains. Uniswap v4 introduces hooks for custom pool logic and advanced customization capabilities.

Aave is a decentralized non-custodial liquidity protocol where users participate as suppliers or borrowers. AAVE is the governance token used to vote on Aave Improvement Proposals (AIPs). The protocol also includes a Safety Module where users can stake AAVE to provide a backstop for shortfall events. Aave also launched Lens Protocol for decentralized social graphs.

Lido dominates ETH staking with liquid staking tokens (stETH, wstETH). Users can stake ETH without locking assets and receive staked tokens usable across DeFi. Lido V3 introduces stVaults for modular staking infrastructure, enabling builders to create customized staking solutions. The protocol allows users to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity.

Curve Finance specializes in stablecoin trading with deep liquidity using advanced bonding curves optimized for low slippage. The protocol also issued crvUSD, a stablecoin with novel LLAMMA liquidation mechanics. veCRV holders earn 50% of trading fees and control gauge weight voting to direct emissions to partner protocols.

Compound is a lending protocol on Ethereum allowing users to supply or borrow assets. COMP is the governance token enabling community control over risk parameters and protocol upgrades. The protocol pioneered algorithmic interest rates and was battle-tested from its inception.

Convex Finance allows Curve LPs to earn boosted rewards without staking CRV directly. CVX holders vote on incentive distribution every 14 days. The protocol captures Curve Wars by accumulating veCRV to direct emissions toward partner protocols, creating a powerful incentive alignment mechanism.

Arbitrum is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum using Optimistic Rollups with enhanced fraud proofs. Arbitrum One is the dominant Layer 2 by TVL with 313,000+ Discord members. Arbitrum Nova uses AnyTrust for gaming and social applications. ARB airdropped in March 2023 for governance.

Polygon evolved from a single sidechain to a comprehensive ecosystem. Polygon 2.0 introduces AggLayer for seamless L2 interconnection using ZK proofs. POL token unifies the ecosystem with stake-to-validate and fee-earning mechanisms. Supports 40,000+ applications with significant developer adoption.

Optimism uses optimistic rollups to deliver faster, cheaper Ethereum transactions. The OP Stack is a modular framework enabling interoperable Layer 2 chains. The Superchain vision connects multiple OP Chains with shared security and governance through the OP governance model.

The Graph is the 'Google of blockchains,' enabling developers to build decentralized subgraphs and APIs for blockchain data. Indexers stake GRT, Curators signal high-quality subgraphs, and Delegators stake to earn rewards. Consumers pay query fees in GRT. Supports 70+ blockchains and 100,000+ subgraphs.

Chainlink operates a decentralized oracle network connecting smart contracts to off-chain data. Node operators stake LINK and earn rewards for accurate data delivery. Key features include VRF (Verifiable Random Function), Data feeds, and CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol). Chainlink secures pricing across DeFi and enables cross-chain communication.

OpenZeppelin provides battle-tested, audited smart contract libraries for Solidity. Core offerings include ERC-20, ERC-721 (NFTs), access control, governance, and upgradeability contracts. Used by 3,532+ projects for securing on-chain applications. OpenZeppelin Defender provides monitoring and automation tools for smart contracts.

Yearn automates DeFi yield farming through smart vaults executing complex strategies. Users deposit assets and receive yTokens representing their claim on principal plus rewards. The protocol distributes 50% fees to treasury, 10% to strategy creators, and 10% to YFI stakers. Initially attracted $800M in first month of operation.

MakerDAO is a decentralized autonomous organization managing the Maker Protocol. Users lock crypto collateral and borrow DAI (a $1-pegged stablecoin). MKR holders vote on risk parameters, collateral types, and stability fees. The protocol maintains DAI peg through governance and economic mechanisms with 150% collateralization requirement.

Rocket Pool democratizes ETH staking with minimum 0.01 ETH requirements for stakers. Node operators stake 16 ETH plus RPL collateral to run validators. Stakers receive rETH tokens that appreciate as staking rewards accumulate. Network enforces decentralization through distributed validator set with 2,500+ operators worldwide.

ENS maps human-readable .eth names to Ethereum addresses. Founded in May 2017, it replaces 42-character addresses with memorable names like 'alice.eth'. ENS also supports traditional DNS domain extensions (.com, .org, .io, .app). Smart contracts encode the registry and resolver with full decentralization.

Ajna facilitates peer-to-pool secured loans without governance or oracle dependencies. Lenders specify prices they're willing to lend at within pools. Pools create permissionlessly for any token pair. The protocol eliminates governance attacks while supporting both fungible (ERC-20) and non-fungible (NFT) collateral types.

crvUSD is a CDP-style stablecoin built on Curve Finance with novel soft-liquidation mechanics. LLAMMA (Lending-Liquidating AMM Algorithm) continuously rebalances collateral across price bands rather than forcing liquidations. Borrowers face gradual collateral conversion instead of sudden liquidation, reducing losses. Accepts ETH, BTC, and liquid staked derivatives as collateral.

Uniswap Wallet enables self-custody with built-in DEX access across 14+ networks. Users retain private keys encrypted on devices. Features include gas-free transactions via smart wallets, MEV protection, and cross-chain swaps. Available on iOS, Android, and Chrome with human-readable transactions and biometric authentication.

Balancer is an AMM enabling customizable liquidity pools beyond traditional 2-token, 50:50 designs. LPs create pools with custom weight ratios and up to 8 assets per pool. Balancer's vault architecture reduces gas costs for multi-hop trades. Governance pools receive boosted BAL emissions, audited by Trail of Bits, Certora, and OpenZeppelin.

Gnosis Safe is a smart contract wallet enabling multi-signature control without single points of failure. Users require M-of-N signatures for transaction execution. Unlike EOA wallets, Safe offers advanced recovery mechanisms and programmable transaction rules. Supports ETH, ERC-20 tokens, and ERC-721 NFTs, used globally by DAOs and institutions.

Starknet uses STARK-based zero-knowledge rollups for Ethereum scaling with theoretical 1,000,000+ TPS. Off-chain computation generates cryptographic proofs verifiable on-chain. Cairo language enables optimized ZK-friendly smart contracts. Starknet Appchains allow app-specific customization with integrated account abstraction.

zkSync Era is a trustless Layer 2 using zero-knowledge proofs to verify transaction batches. EVM compatibility lets developers redeploy Solidity without modifications. Built by Matter Labs, launched March 24, 2023, processing 27+ million transactions monthly. Zero-knowledge proofs enable faster finality (~3 hours) vs. optimistic rollups (7 days).

Pendle separates yield-bearing assets into principal and yield components. Users wrap assets into SY (Standardized Yield) tokens, which split into PT (Principal) and YT (Yield) tokens. PT trades at a discount initially, approaching underlying value at maturity. YT trades based on yield expectations, enabling yield-specific trading and hedging strategies.

Frax pioneered fractional-algorithmic stablecoins combining collateral and algorithmic mechanisms. frxUSD maintains tight peg through minting/redeeming mechanics and seigniorage revenue capture. FXS governance token benefits from protocol adoption through buybacks and distribution. Ecosystem includes FraxSwap DEX, Fraxlend protocol, and Frax Ether (frxETH) liquid staking with veFXS locking up to 4X boost.