What is Ribbon Finance?

Ribbon Finance (RBN) is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that strives to provide users with access to structured financial products in the cryptocurrency space. It employs financial engineering to create these products, which are designed to deliver sustainable compensation. Ribbon's initial product focuses on compensation through automated options strategies. The protocol also allows developers to create structured products by combining various DeFi derivatives. Ribbon Finance's structured products are packaged financial instruments that use a combination of derivatives to achieve specific risk-return objectives.

How does Ribbon Finance work?

Ribbon Finance operates through a series of products and strategies. One of its key offerings is the Theta Vault, which automates a covered call strategy to generate high compensation on Ethereum (ETH). The vault sells out-of-the-money call options on a weekly basis for compensation. Ribbon Finance also offers Ribbon Earn, a line of compensation vaults designed to have a risk profile complementary to Theta vaults. It uses a combination of lending and exotic options to enhance compensation through exposure to short-term volatility in the market. Ribbon Finance also includes Ribbon Lend, a DeFi marketplace for institutional unsecured loans, and Ribbon Treasury, private Ribbon Theta vaults built specifically for Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) to run covered calls on their native tokens.

What are the potential use cases for Ribbon Finance?

Ribbon Finance seeks to provide users with a range of potential use cases. It aims to offer a one-stop solution for users who want to improve a portfolio's risk-return profile. Users can deposit their assets into Ribbon's vaults, which then automatically start running specific option strategies. This can help users receive compensation from their assets. Ribbon Finance also aims to provide DAOs with a way to run covered calls on their native tokens, potentially enhancing their treasury diversification goals. Furthermore, Ribbon Finance's structured products can be used by those who want to bet on volatility, enhance compensation, or protect their principal.

What is the history of Ribbon Finance?

Ribbon Finance was launched in 2021 with the invention of Theta Vaults, also known as DeFi Options Vaults (DOVs). These were designed as compensation-oriented strategies that propose that depositors trade volatility on their underlying assets by selling European options with weekly expiration. The sale value of these options, or "premium," is set through auctions and determines the vault return. The vault reinvests the premiums received back into the strategy, effectively compounding them for depositors over time. Ribbon Finance's smart contracts have been reviewed by OpenZeppelin, Peckshield, ChainSafe, and Quantstamp.