Stripe's MPP vs. x402: What Actually Happened Today
Two competing visions for machine-to-machine payments shipped on the same day. Here's how x402 and MPP differ, and why Stripe is betting on both.
Nick Sawinyh
DeFi Blog
Interviews with DeFi projects, analytics, and important news about decentralized finance.
Nick Sawinyh
Did the SEC Just Clear DeFi? Not Exactly. Here's What Release 33-11412 Does and Doesn't Do
The interpretation is real, detailed, and favorable. It's also not a safe harbor, not a statute, and open to revision.
Nick Sawinyh
yvUSD: Inside Yearn's Zero-Fee Stablecoin Vault
A deep dive into Yearn's yvUSD V3 vault: zero fees, nine active strategies, two deposit modes, and an honest look at where the yield comes from.
Nick Sawinyh
The Risk Nobody Talks About: How to Actually Evaluate Yield-Generating RWAs
A practitioner's guide to the hybrid TradFi/DeFi risks hiding inside tokenized real-world assets, and what the leading risk curators are doing about them.
Nick Sawinyh
Stablecoin Issuance Infrastructure in 2026: The Full Map
Everything you need to know about issuing a stablecoin in 2026: models, regulation, infrastructure, and the new stablechains.
Nick Sawinyh
Tranched Credit Markets in DeFi: Where Things Stand in 2026
Tranched credit markets split lending pool risk into layers so different investors can choose their exposure. As of March 2026, they're becoming core infrastructure on EVM chains and Solana, driven...
Nick Sawinyh
Futard.io and the Futarchy Bet: Can Prediction Markets Fix Crypto Launches?
Futard.io locks launch funds in escrow and uses prediction markets to govern spending. The treasury model is a clear upgrade. The futarchy governance is an open experiment with real limitations....
Nick Sawinyh
The Complete Guide to DeFi Vaults in 2026: How Curated Vaults Became the Smartest Way to Earn Yield in Crypto
From Yearn's genesis to Apollo's $160M commitment to Morpho, DeFi vaults have evolved from experimental yield tools into institutional-grade infrastructure managing billions.
Nick Sawinyh
Stablecoins Hit $320 Billion. Here's What the Data Actually Shows.
In January 2026, stablecoin networks moved more than ten trillion dollars. A look at where the money is, how it moves, and why it matters.
Nick Sawinyh
The Aave Mess: Who Actually Owns a Decentralized Protocol?
Aave had a rough winter. What started as a fight over swap fees turned into a full-blown war between the people who built the protocol and the people who theoretically...
Nick Sawinyh
Canton Network vs. EVM-Compatible Blockchains: A Technical Reckoning
The blockchain landscape has split more sharply than most architects acknowledge. The EVM ecosystem and Canton answer different questions—comparing them as if they were racing toward the same finish line...
Nick Sawinyh
The AI Agent Economy Onchain: Real Progress, Concrete Projects, and Lingering Questions
A clear-eyed look at the on-chain AI agent economy onchain in early 2026.
Nick Sawinyh
The Complete Guide to Tokenized Metals and Onchain Markets in 2026
How blockchain is transforming precious metals investing with $5+ billion in tokenized gold, silver, and beyond
Nick Sawinyh
The Definitive Guide to the Polymarket Ecosystem: 170+ Tools, Bots, and Products Reshaping Prediction Markets
This definitive guide explores the complete landscape of Polymarket ecosystem products.
Nick Sawinyh
Points-Based Distribution Programs in Web3: A Comprehensive Guide for Crypto Founders
Planning a token launch? This comprehensive guide reveals how to design points programs that build loyal communities while avoiding costly mistakes.
Nick Sawinyh
Hyperliquid vs Aster: A Comprehensive Analysis of Two Emerging DeFi Protocols
The decentralized finance landscape continues to evolve with innovative protocols pushing the boundaries of what's possible in on-chain trading and financial services. Among the newer entrants making waves are Hyperliquid...
Nick Sawinyh