Interest Rate Rules in Decentralized Finance: Evidence from Compound

Abstract

We study the fundamentals of interest rate rules on the decentralized finance protocol Compound. Interest rates are set by the governance of the protocol, and are based on the utilization of an asset: which is the ratio of a cryptocurrency that is borrowed to its total supply in the protocol. We discuss factors that determine the slope parameters of interest rate rules. Slope parameters are typically higher for more volatile cryptocurrencies. We argue liquidation risk can explain the cross-sectional variation in interest rate rules. We also draw parallels between these rules to the demand for loanable funds in traditional money markets.