Definition ∞ Synthetic asset issuance involves making digital tokens that get their worth from other underlying assets, without directly possessing those assets. These synthetic assets, often seen in decentralized finance, follow the price of traditional goods, shares, conventional money, or other cryptocurrencies. They let users access various markets on a blockchain without needing to own the actual asset. This method typically employs security and external price data feeds.
Context ∞ Synthetic asset issuance is a swiftly growing part of the decentralized finance system, drawing considerable notice in crypto news. It provides new methods for users to trade and obtain access to a broader range of financial instruments within a decentralized structure. However, these assets also carry dangers linked to external data manipulation, security liquidation, and the steadiness of the foundational protocol. Regulatory groups are starting to investigate the consequences of synthetic assets, especially concerning their categorization and the possibility of market manipulation.