Collaborative infrastructure is the only way for DeFi-TradFi cooperation | Opinion

As a researcher who has spent years navigating the intricate world of finance and technology, I can attest to the complexities and potential of both DeFi and TradFi. My personal journey has taken me from the dusty archives of traditional banking to the cutting-edge frontiers of blockchain and decentralized finance.


It’s common to hear about cryptocurrency initiatives that align with conventional finance and large financial institutions seeking crypto exchange-traded funds. However, it’s worth remembering the tense and adversarial nature of the early DeFi-TradFi dynamic.

Indeed, these two distinct financial structures will never fully agree on every aspect. However, recognizing their inability to eradicate each other has led to a decrease in tensions, and channels of dialogue have become more open.

In simpler terms, the traditional financial sector (TradFi) recognizes the benefits of blockchain technology and decentralized finance, such as operational efficiency and the potential for novel financial solutions. Similarly, the crypto world has come to understand that the infrastructure, resources, and customer base of TradFi can help grow its own ecosystem.

Although shared interests exist, significant differences in technology, ideology, and operations persist, leading to a divide that could hinder productive collaborations if not resolved. It’s worth noting that Bitcoin (BTC) is turning 16 this year, and the cryptocurrency sector still has much ground to cover for growth. Conversely, traditional banking is deeply ingrained in society due to centuries of expansion, making it a fixture for the foreseeable future. As a result, the absence of a system for meaningful collaboration and coexistence could negatively impact global economic stability over time.

Because cryptocurrencies have successfully integrated into the financial system, they bear the main responsibility for adapting to Traditional Finance (TradFi), which adheres to principles that have been in place for centuries. It’s not that TradFi is incapable of change; it’s just that, serving as the economic guardian, it moves at a deliberate pace. Demanding rapid transformation from TradFi is similar to a child of four years old expecting to graduate college.

Currently, everyday tools such as debit cards are not yet integrated with Decentralized Finance (DeFi) systems and tokenized real-world asset platforms, which have been captivating the traditional financial sector. Furthermore, purchasing cryptocurrency from a centralized exchange and then staking it on a DeFi protocol using a different wallet seems to go against the “efficiency” story of crypto, particularly when banks enable users to buy, sell, or trade stocks within one app with just a few taps.

Emphasizing the urgent requirement for an interoperability framework that seamlessly connects traditional financial systems, encompassing various currencies and approved blockchains, with blockchain applications and protocols is crucial. Overcoming this hurdle would enable institutions to deepen their involvement in DeFi and crypto, offering new cryptocurrency users a hassle-free onboarding process.

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols are making progress in adhering to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, but they still need to take further steps to win over traditional financial institutions (TradFi). Strengthened auditing and beefed-up security systems that leverage automated surveillance tools could significantly increase TradFi’s trust in DeFi.

To foster strong partnerships between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi), TradFi needs to take on a larger share of the work. In return, DeFi should be open to offering its assistance to jointly develop robust infrastructure solutions that feature advanced risk management systems and expertise in custody and liquidity provisioning.

Projects aiming to balance the requirements of both ecosystems are essential for maintaining a continuous conversation between them. Some initiatives are striving to achieve a smoother integration of these elements.

Example: VixiChain, a new initiative with ambitious goals, aims to attract more Traditional Finance (TradFi) players into Decentralized Finance (DeFi) by inviting financial institutions to validate transactions on its compliant Layer-1 blockchain. By doing so, it provides a secure platform for these institutions to engage with DeFi protocols on public blockchains using a stablecoin that employs Non-Fungible Token (NFT) technology to maintain traceability and authenticity. This stablecoin is backed by real money reserves and powered by the VIXC token, which offers practical applications within an integrated and compliant ecosystem.

With Bitcoin breaking through the $100,000 mark for the first time, there’s optimism that Traditional Finance (TradFi) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) can collaborate constructively. This partnership could lead to a unified system that caters to the financial requirements of countless individuals worldwide. To make this vision a reality, it’s essential to leverage DeFi’s inventive capabilities alongside TradFi’s resources and established framework, thereby paving the way for a more streamlined and effective financial future.

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2024-12-07 14:48