Lesson 11: Risk Management

Lesson 11: Risk Management

🎯 Core Concept: Understanding DeFi Risks

Code is law in DeFi, but code can be flawed. Understanding and managing risks is essential for safely participating in DeFi.

πŸ“š Types of Risks

Smart Contract Risk

Code can have bugs. Even audited contracts can have vulnerabilities.

Risk vs Reward Matrix
Portfolio Diversification Diagram
Risk Assessment Framework

Mitigation: Use well-audited, time-tested protocols. Start with small amounts.

Oracle Risk

Smart contracts rely on oracles for price data. If oracles are manipulated, protocols can be exploited.

Mitigation: Protocols using multiple oracles are safer than single-oracle protocols.

Governance Risk

Many protocols are governed by DAOs. If governance is compromised, protocols can be drained.

Mitigation: Understand governance structures. Be wary of highly centralized governance.

Liquidation Risk

In lending protocols, positions can be liquidated if collateral value drops.

Mitigation: Monitor health factors. Don't max out borrowing capacity.

Impermanent Loss

Liquidity providers face impermanent loss when token prices diverge.

Mitigation: Understand IL before providing liquidity. Consider stablecoin pairs.

Interactive DeFi Risk Assessment

Use this interactive tool to assess risks across different DeFi protocols:

πŸ”‘ Key Takeaways

  1. Multiple Risk Types: DeFi has many risk vectors beyond smart contract bugs

  2. Due Diligence: Always research protocols before using them

  3. Start Small: Test with small amounts first

  4. Diversify: Don't put all funds in one protocol

  5. Stay Informed: Follow protocol updates and security news


Next Lesson: In Lesson 12, we'll explore Layer 2s and the future of DeFi.

Last updated