In a recent interview, Voice Of Crypto's editor-in-chief Varuni Trivedi had the privilege of sitting down with Rune Christensen, the CEO of Maker-DAO, one of the pioneers in the DeFi and crypto space.
During the conversation at Token 2049 in Singapore, Rune shared a few insights into what the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) may be, as well as MakerDAO's role in bridging the gap between traditional (banks and brokers) and decentralized finance (crypto and blockchain).
MakerDAO is one of the foremost decentralized companies that uses technology to make stablecoins, savings, and lending possible on the Ethereum blockchain.
According to CoinMarketCap, their main product is DAI.
So how does it work?
Maker-DAO allows people to put their assets like ETH into Maker Vaults. They then receive DAI in exchange for it. (The amount of Dai you can make depends on how much your assets in the Vault are worth).
Users can then use their DAI to buy things or lend them to others on the MakerDAO platform.
In the early days of the crypto community, people cared more about how an idea sounded, rather than figuring out a way for them to work in reality.
However, MakerDAO has always stood out as a project focused on generating real-world value through blockchain technology.
In the interview, Rune touched on the importance of blockchain integration with real-world assets, as well as compliance with crypto and DeFi regulations.
Because of this, MakerDAO has evolved into way more than it used to be.
While Ethereum remains MakerDAO's primary blockchain, Rune mentioned their interest in experimenting with Solana and other Layer 1 technologies.
Rune says that the goal is to expand the MakerDAO ecosystem across multiple chains by creating a high-performance backend to handle the platform's protocols, as well as its tokenomics efficiently.
It so happens that this approach aligns with why blockchain technology exists in the first place. Using this approach, MakerDAO will be able to leverage blockchain technology for real-world benefits.
MakerDAO's remarkable achievement of reaching $4.5 billion in total value locked (TVL) despite the bear market, highlights its unique position, as far as the DeFi space is concerned. Unlike other projects that rely on speculation, Maker-DAO is more concerned with connecting DeFi with real-world assets in a way that complies with regulatory laws.
So far, stable assets backed by US government bonds and USD have provided stability during market fluctuations, ensuring MakerDAO's economic significance.
According to Rune Christensen, his journey into crypto began in 2011 when he first discovered Bitcoin (two years after its creation).
His experience with Bitcoin's early bubbles and crashes emphasized why it was important to have stablecoins, and why crypto mainstream adoption was necessary.
Before long, with a team of co-founders, Rune embarked on the journey that would eventually become Maker-DAO as we know it today.
Keep in mind that initially, their focus was on creating a single stablecoin that would serve the entire ecosystem.
However, over time, Christensen and MakerDAO eventually recognized the sustainability of a stablecoin business model in crypto.
The way MakerDao maintains DAI's stability has evolved over time.
This mode of sustainability has moved over the years, from interest rate adjustments to collateral-backed stability.
As it happens, a significant portion of DAI is now backed by real-world assets like US government bonds and USD.
Automated mechanisms are also put in place to ensure that enough USDC is available to support withdrawals, making Dai's value stable and reliable.
It is only a matter of time before AI and blockchain merge into one full niche.
According to Christensen, the convergence of blockchain technology and AI is an exciting prospect, and Maker-DAO is not one to miss out.
Christensen says that the MakerDAO team are actively researching and developing AI solutions to enhance governance on a major scale.
Before long, an AI assistant within the Maker-DAO ecosystem will help users make better and more informed decisions, improving the overall efficiency and fairness of the DAO.
Crypto and blockchain technology have earned the nickname "the Wild West".
This isn't surprising, considering how there have been countless billion-dollar hacks, scams and rugpulls over the last decade.
As a result, navigating through regulatory laws has been tough for companies and individuals like Binance, Ripple and Coinbase.
Christensen says that compliance and regulations are crucial when dealing with financial products in the crypto space.
According to the CEO, Maker-DAO has successfully navigated these challenges by trying its best to work within the regulatory frameworks of supportive governments.
Rune emphasized the importance of building in regions with favourable regulatory environments to showcase the benefits of responsible innovation to the world.
MakerDAO's journey so far, has been a solid proof of the power of innovation in the crypto space.
As they continue to bridge the gap between traditional finance and DeFi, explore new technologies like AI, and navigate regulatory challenges, Maker-DAO remains at the forefront of the industry's growth and transformation.
We'd like to thank Rune Christensen for sharing his valuable insights into Maker-DAO and the future of decentralized finance.
As we move forward, it's clear that MakerDAO's commitment to responsible innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping the crypto landscape.
Disclaimer: Voice of Crypto aims to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, but it will not be responsible for any missing facts or inaccurate information. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile financial assets, so research and make your own financial decisions.