« Index

 

Compound Interest

DeFi Strategies

Compound Interest is the process where interest earned on an investment or deposit is reinvested to generate additional earnings over time. Unlike simple interest, compound interest calculates returns on both the original principal and previously accumulated interest, creating exponential growth potential in both traditional finance and DeFi protocols.

Use Case: A user stakes $KAG in a DeFi protocol offering daily compounding. Instead of withdrawing daily rewards, the protocol automatically reinvests them, allowing the stake to grow exponentially as each day’s earnings generate their own returns.

Key Concepts:

  • APY – Annual Percentage Yield — Reflects compound interest effects over one year.
  • Auto-Compounding — Automated reinvestment of earnings without manual intervention.
  • Staking — Common DeFi activity that benefits from compound interest strategies.
  • Compounding Frequency — How often interest is calculated and added (daily, weekly, monthly).

Summary: Compound interest is a powerful wealth-building mechanism that leverages time and reinvestment to accelerate growth. In DeFi, automated compounding protocols make this strategy accessible 24/7, often with higher frequencies than traditional finance, maximizing the exponential growth potential of digital assets.

Feature Traditional Compound Interest DeFi Compound Interest
Compounding Frequency Monthly, Quarterly, Annually Daily, Hourly, Per Block
Automation Bank-managed, limited control Smart contract automation
Accessibility Account requirements, minimums Wallet connection, any amount
Transparency Limited visibility into calculations On-chain, fully verifiable
Typical Rates 0.1% – 5% APY 3% – 20%+ APY

📈 Compound Interest Example

Simple Interest (No Compounding)

$10,500 at 10% APR
Year 1: $11,550
Year 2: $12,600
Year 5: $15,750
Compound Interest (Daily Compounding)

$10,500 at 10% APY
Year 1: $11,603
Year 2: $12,821
Year 5: $17,314
Compound interest advantage grows over time • Higher frequency = better returns

 
« Index