TradFi and DeFi — Navigating a Complex yet Inevitable Fusion

ETHA Labs
Parifi
Published in
3 min readMay 14, 2024

A fusion between TradFi and DeFi may not have been the initial plan of either side, with one determined to reinforce its dominance and the other set to create a major disruption, but it’s likely to happen either way.

Blockchain and its Strong Magnetism

The initial point was the emergence of blockchain and its powerful attraction. It quickly became evident that massive technological advancements brought traditional finance to the point where adaptation was mandatory.

The first reaction was defensive — adopting CBDCs as a retort to the impact that assets like Bitcoin can create in the market. But then came the realization that Bitcoin holds greater importance for Wall Street than Wall Street does for Bitcoin. So, the prospect of a synergy between the two became increasingly attainable.

Still, blockchain is one thing, but DeFi means a massive shift towards a new era in which the basics of traditional finance are questioned and innovative alternatives are provided.

The Complicated Fusion of TradFi and DeFi

Reluctance was to be expected with such strong parties hanging in the balance. On the one hand, decentralization, self-custody, accessibility, and lower fees emerged; on the other, traditional ways were firmly held.

Therefore, it ultimately comes down to institutions to react and tip the balance one way or the other. This adaptation is a long-term endeavor, and it’s still uncertain how much TradFi’s attachment — almost akin to Stockholm Syndrome — will hold back progress.

Fortunately, after some initial hesitation, big actors like JP Morgan are starting to change their view and recognize the massive potential.

ETFs may be in the spotlight, but more aspects should be considered when considering this complicated fusion.

Derivatives — Common Ground Between the Two Sides

Derivatives can be an excellent convergence point. Their popularity in TradFi stemmed from their capacity to enable hedging and speculation without ownership of the underlying asset and, of course, from the appeal of leverage.

As such, their expansion into the blockchain realm was a natural progression and opened exciting new opportunities. Decentralized perpetuals represent a particularly significant opportunity within the realm of on-chain derivatives, adding the advantage of no expiry and the multiple benefits of self-custody and decentralization.

Though still struggling to gain significant traction, decentralized perpetuals are an emerging market that can help reduce the gap between TradFi and DeFi. To understand why, let’s look at the bigger picture.

What does this fusion entail for regular users and institutional ones? For this evolutionary step to happen, people need to break free from the false perception that traditional means more dependable and discover a system that’s actually created to bring them new opportunities, freedom, and empowerment. And institutions need to do their part and move toward a middle ground.

Innovating Perpetuals for Progress and Parity

An important aspect to consider is that TradFi concepts often fall short in the decentralized realm. That’s why Parifi’s strategy for sustaining the mass adoption of perpetuals relies on a fresh approach and novel mechanisms. Built from scratch, the protocol addresses the issues behind this market sector.

Ultimately, the convergence between TradFi and DeFi involves everyone. Taking the next step in this direction means addressing all categories of users and stepping towards a future where we can easily enjoy the best of both worlds. And hopefully, parity among all market participants.

Stay tuned to Parifi’s official channels:

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ETHA Labs
Parifi
Editor for

ETHA Labs focuses on DeFi innovation, developing both essential infrastructure and incubating the next generation of Web3 projects.