"This life is like a swimming pool. You dive into the water, but you can't see how deep it is.”

Dennis Rodman, NBA Player

Swimming pools offer a refreshing oasis during the scorching summer months, providing numerous positive effects that enhance both physical and mental well-being. As the sun beats down and temperatures soar, the calm, inviting waters of a swimming pool serve as a perfect escape from the heat. In the DeFi space, Liquidity Pools offer a decentralized way to exchange value and trade crypto assets.

As the traditional financial system is getting more concentrated, the permissionless nature of liquidity pools serves as an inclusive financial instrument that allows every user to participate. The above quote is a call to courage and resilience. It reminds us that life, like a deep pool, can be both thrilling and intimidating. But with a willingness to explore and adapt, we can learn to swim in its depths, finding meaning and fulfillment in the journey itself.

1. Trading Fees
   Trading fees in crypto are charges incurred when you are buying or selling cryptocurrencies on an exchange. These fees can vary significantly depending on the type of exchange and the type of transaction. If you trade in DeFi, the trading fees are usually lower than those on centralized exchanges, but you have to pay transaction costs to the network (so-called "Gas fee") additionally.

2. Slippage
   Another frequently used term in crypto trading is called "Slippage". It refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which the trade is actually executed. This discrepancy can occur due to various factors, such as market volatility, low liquidity, or the time delay between order placement and order execution. In DeFi, the depth and distribution of liquidity in a liquidity pool will affect the impact of slippage.

3. Impermanent Loss
   If you provide liquidity in DeFi, you should be familiar with the meaning of "Impermanent Loss". This is a phenomenon specific to liquidity providers (LPs), especially when using automated market makers (AMMs). It refers to the temporary loss (or profit) of funds that might occur when the price ratio of the two crypto assets in a liquidity pool deviates from the price ratio at the time the assets were deposited. This loss is called "impermanent" because it can be recovered if the price ratio returns to its original state (= relation of asset prices at deposit).

1. "Crypto Slippage Calculator" by TradingBrowser. This tool allows you to estimate the potential cost of slippage when placing a crypto trade.

2. "Impermanent Loss Calculator" by dailydefi.org. A simple tool that allows users to input initial asset prices, deposited amounts, and current prices to quickly and accurately compute the IL value and loss rate.

This article goes into a deep dive on Liquidity Pools as a central part of Decentralized Finance. First, we tackle the meaning of liquidity, and then the mechanics of trading on decentralized exchanges are explained. READ MORE HERE

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The blockchain space never sleeps, and events of all sizes are always around the corner. But no need to stress and have a fear of missing out (FOMO) because we've got your back:

After a successful start in 2024, the Vienna Blockchain Week returns for its second edition. The event is held at the Web3 Hub Vienna from September 9th to 11th, 2025. You can find more information and an agenda preview here.

ETHWomen is a global community-driven initiative dedicated to connecting and uplifting women in the Web3 space. The next event is taking place in the Greater Miami Area, Florida, from November 5-6, 2025. You can still apply for free here.

Happy Week, ALANA Adventurers!

This article was authored by Lutra, a DAO member of The ALANA Project.

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