What is Compound?

Compound is a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol that aims to provide users with the opportunity to receive compensation on their digital assets. Users deposit cryptocurrencies into one of the platform's supported pools and in return, they receive cTokens, which represent their stake in the pool. These cTokens can be redeemed for the initial cryptocurrency deposited, with the exchange rate potentially increasing over time. Compound also provides the opportunity for borrowers to take secured loans from any of its pools by depositing collateral. The platform's native governance token, COMP, enables holders to propose, discuss, and vote on changes to the protocol.

How does Compound work?

Compound operates through smart contracts that mint cTokens when Ethereum and ERC20 assets are deposited. These cTokens can be used by Compound users to redeem their stake. The protocol enforces a collateralization factor for all assets supported by the platform, striving to ensure each pool is adequately collateralized. If the collateral falls below the minimum maintenance level, it is sold to liquidators at a discount, which aims to pay down some of the loan and return the remainder to an acceptable collateralization factor. This arrangement is designed to encourage borrowers to maintain their collateral levels, provide a safety net for lenders, and create an earning opportunity for liquidators.

What are the potential use cases for Compound?

Compound aims to enhance the use of cryptocurrencies by providing an open lending platform. It potentially allows anyone who deposits supported Ethereum tokens to receive compensation on their balance or take out a secured loan in a trustless way. The platform's community governance model sets it apart from other similar protocols. Holders of COMP can propose changes to the protocol, debate, and vote on whether to implement changes suggested by others. This can include choosing which cryptocurrencies to add support for, adjusting collateralization factors, and making changes to how COMP tokens are distributed.

What is the history of Compound?

Compound was established in 2017 by Robert Leshner and Geoffrey Hayes, both of whom previously worked at Postmates, an online food delivery service. They continue to hold executive positions at Compound Labs, Inc., the software development firm behind the Compound protocol. Since the launch of the Compound mainnet, the platform has been utilized by users. The Compound team now comprises a diverse group of individuals, a significant portion of whom work as engineers.