The world of finance has constantly evolved in the digital space. Digital lending has been around for awhile but its features where limited to a large extent because it mirrored the physical world. Enters cryptocurrency, which is like a super feature that removes most of the previous limitations digital lending has.
Together, these technologies have the potential to completely transform the way we access and use financial services (specifically lending and borrowing), making them faster, more convenient, and more accessible than ever before.
Digital lending refers to the process of lending money or providing loans through digital channels, such as online platforms or mobile apps. The entire process, from loan application to disbursement, can be done electronically, without the need for an in-person visit to a bank or any other financial institution. This has 'sort of' made loans more accessible to people who may not have had access to tradfi services, and has also made the lending process faster and more convenient for all parties involved.
Cryptocurrency, on the other hand, is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography to secure transactions. It operates independently of a central bank, and allows for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. Crypto by nature resides in the digital world.
So, how do digital lending and cryptocurrency fit together? There are currently a few ways that these two technologies can work together to revolutionize the financial landscape.
Loan Collateral And Repayment
Some digital lending platforms such as Nexo, have integrated with cryptocurrency and accept it as collateral for loans. This means that borrowers can use their cryptocurrency holdings as security for a loan, which could get them approved even if they don't have a traditional credit history or other valuable assets to use as collateral.
This concept is relatively new and has great potential to be widely utilized. It doesn't require any 'whys' or 'whats' i.e why do you need a loan or what are you going to do with it.
This can also be particularly useful for people who given the opportunity will prefer to hold and use cryptocurrency or people who may not have access to traditional financial services (e.g Unbanked or underbanked).
In some cases, digital lending platforms may also accept cryptocurrency as a form of repayment for loans making it easier for borrowers to make payments, as they can use their cryptocurrency holdings instead of having to convert their funds into fiat currency.
Lending In Cryptocurrency
There are a handful of digital lending platforms that operate entirely in cryptocurrency (e.g MakerDao, Aave), meaning that both loan disbursements and repayments are made in cryptocurrency.
This is particularly useful for investment purposes. For example, in a bear market, you can gain access to investment money and invest in undervalued crypto projects.
The integration of cryptocurrency into digital lending has a number of benefits for borrowers and lenders alike. For borrowers, it provides greater flexibility and accessibility. For lenders, it can provide access to a new pool of borrowers and also help reduce the risk of default by using cryptocurrency as collateral.
In conclusion
Digital lending and cryptocurrency are two technologies that have the potential to completely transform the financial landscape. By making the lending process faster, more convenient, and more accessible, they have the power to democratize access to financial services and provide the tools to help people around the world achieve financial stability and independence.
Whether you're a borrower or a lender, it's an exciting time to be involved in this rapidly evolving industry.
Here's a great post from Khal about Bitcoin Collateralized Lending Vaults.
All Images created via Nightcafe Studio.
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