Crypto Lending

Definition ∞ Crypto lending involves the practice of lending digital assets to borrowers in exchange for interest payments. This can occur through centralized platforms that act as intermediaries or via decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols where smart contracts facilitate peer-to-peer lending arrangements. It provides a mechanism for earning yield on held cryptocurrencies and for accessing capital against digital asset collateral.
Context ∞ The crypto lending sector is frequently discussed in news cycles due to its significant role in DeFi yield generation and its susceptibility to market downturns and platform-specific risks. Regulatory attention and the solvency of major lending entities are critical points of current discussion.