Glossary › DeFi › Smart Contract
DeFi Intermediate

Smart Contract

Definition

Self-executing code deployed on a blockchain that automatically enforces agreements when predefined conditions are met. The foundation of DeFi, NFTs, and dApps. Ethereum pioneered smart contracts in 2015.

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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Category
DeFi
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See Also
8 related

◆ Key Takeaways

1

Self-executing code deployed on a blockchain that automatically enforces agreements when predefined conditions are met.

2

The foundation of DeFi, NFTs, and dApps.

3

Ethereum pioneered smart contracts in 2015.

Why It Matters

This is a key building block of decentralized finance. Understanding it helps you navigate DeFi protocols safely, evaluate yield opportunities, and avoid common pitfalls.

Related Terms in DeFi

DeFi
Decentralized Finance — financial services built on blockchain without traditional intermediaries. Includes lending, borrowing, trading, insurance, and yield generation through smart contracts accessible to anyone with a crypto wallet.
dApp
Decentralized Application — an application running on a blockchain network rather than centralized servers. dApps interact with smart contracts and operate without central control. Uniswap and Aave are leading dApps.
DEX
Decentralized Exchange — a platform for trading crypto directly from your wallet without intermediaries or KYC. Uses smart contracts and liquidity pools instead of order books. Uniswap, PancakeSwap, and Jupiter are popular DEXs.
CEX
Centralized Exchange — a traditional crypto trading platform operated by a company that holds users' funds. Offers higher liquidity and user-friendly interfaces but requires KYC and custody trust. Binance, Coinbase, Kraken.
AMM
Automated Market Maker — a DEX mechanism using mathematical formulas and liquidity pools instead of traditional order books. The constant product formula (x*y=k) ensures continuous pricing. Pioneered by Uniswap.
Liquidity Pool
A smart contract holding paired token reserves that enable trading on DEXs. Liquidity providers deposit equal values of two tokens and earn trading fees. The backbone of AMM-based decentralized exchanges.
Liquidity Provider
Someone who deposits tokens into a DEX liquidity pool, enabling trading for others. LPs earn a share of trading fees proportional to their pool contribution but face impermanent loss risk.
Impermanent Loss
The temporary loss of value experienced by liquidity providers when token prices in a pool diverge from their deposit ratio. The loss becomes permanent only if you withdraw at unfavorable prices. Greater divergence means more loss.

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