


The flash loan concept is relatively new and is already generating good interest from users worldwide. Despite its apparent positive impact on DeFi, it can also be hijacked for malicious intentions.
Introduction to Flash Loans
Many people have a time when they have to make some expenditure, and they don't have sufficient funds of their own to execute the need. It becomes obvious to you that you have to reach out to some other person who is in a better financial position to bail you out: welcome to the world of loans.
Generally speaking, it's safe to assume that everyone knows how the regular loan process goes: a borrower first approaches a lender and makes a request to be given some funds. The lender presents conditions with embedded caveats for providing the funds to the borrower. The borrower agrees to the given conditions, and the lender disburses the funds to the borrower. If the borrower fails to pay back the loan at the arranged time, the caveats kick in.
That's the standard picture we see when the word loan is mentioned. In Decentralized Finance (DeFi), a radical rebranding of loans as we know it has appeared on the horizon, pushing the limits once more of what is possible with DeFi.

What is a Flash Loan?
In DeFi terms, a flash loan is a risk-free instantaneous loan whose time of borrowing and payback happens within one blockchain transaction. They do not require the borrower to pledge collateral, and there's no necessary test of creditworthiness. Also, there is almost no limit to the amount that can be borrowed; the amount is only limited by the service provider's pool of funds. The sole requirement is that the borrowed funds and the service fee must be returned within the same blockchain transaction's execution time.
The term was originally coined in 2018 by the founder of an ethereum 'open-source' bank, Marble Protocol. They introduced the brilliant idea of using a smart contract to provide swift loans within the span of one transaction.
Flash loans are a fascinating addition to options available in DeFi. It is getting attention because it potentially makes it possible for anyone to access huge sums of cryptocurrencies. It is a new service that has unlocked what is practically impossible in traditional finance.
The Mechanics of Flash Loans
As at the time of writing, flash loans are only available on Ethereum-based blockchain platforms, Ethereum is the only blockchain at the moment that has the feature on which flash loans can run. It takes advantage of Ethereum's state-reversing feature, making it possible for a smart contract to reverse a transaction if some encoded conditions are not met.

A simple way of describing how it works is to say that the smart contract calls a block of codes where the borrow function is at the beginning. The transaction that will use the loan is in the middle of the code, while the loan repayment function is at the end. During execution, if the transaction will not return a value higher than the loan amount, the smart contract detects it, reverses the process, and returns the borrowed funds back to the pool. On the other hand, if the smart contract checks the middle function and detects that the final output will cover the loan plus fees, it releases the funds, and the transaction is executed.
Features of Flash Loans
Flash loans possess some unique attributes that make them different from conventional loans. These include
- They are insecure because no security deposit like collateral is required to prequalify for a loan. You don't need a guarantor.
- They run on Smart Contracts: Smart Contracts are blockchain programs that ensure that rules governing a transaction are adhered to before funds change hands. Applied to flash loans, the governing rule is that the borrower must pay back the loan before the end of the transaction. The smart contract enforces this rule.
- Trustlessness: A prospective borrower does not need to be subjected to any creditworthiness test. The only measure of eligibility is the contract's capacity to return a value that is greater than the loan amount plus fees combined.
- Instantaneity: the entire process of consummating a flash loan is virtually instantaneous. An average transaction in the Ethereum blockchain takes about 16 seconds. It thus means that the whole process will not take more than the time of one transaction. The implementation of this is that flash loans are only useful for transactions that will be finalized within a concise time frame.
- It is free of risk: though there are no collateral or prequalification requirements, the lender is not exposed to a payment default risk. The smart contract is smart enough to detect if the use to which the loan is being applied would pay it back. The smart contract will release the funds if so; if it cannot, the smart contract returns the borrowed funds to the source-pool.

Typical Uses of Flash Loans
Uses of flash loans abound in DeFi, including the following
- Arbitrage: This is a strategy where one takes advantage of the difference in the price of a particular commodity/token that is traded in two different markets or exchanges. If the token is slightly cheaper in Exchange A than Exchange B, a trader can take a flash loan, buy the token from Exchange A and sell on Exchange B. He will then pay back the loan and pocket the profit.
- Debt Refinancing: Flash loans make it possible to quickly pay off a high-interest loan to switch to another whose interest rate is lower.
While these are two of the most established uses, other uses would inadvertently arise as more and more people pick interest in this novel application of DeFi.
Summary of Flash Loans
The flash loan concept is relatively new and is already generating good interest from users worldwide. Despite its apparent positive impact on DeFi, it can also be hijacked for malicious intentions, as can be seen in this report. A group of researchers explored some of the ways flash loans can be manipulated. That being said, flash loans are a highly promising application of DeFi. As the technology evolves and as efforts grow towards plugging potential loopholes that pose risks of malicious use, it will likely be a core part of decentralized lending.
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PancakeSwap v3 Launches on BNB Chain’s Layer2 Network, opBNB

The launch of PancakeSwap v3 on opBNB promises users enhanced transaction speeds, reduced fees, and an overall improved trading experience.
On September 28, PancakeSwap Decentralized Exchange (DEX) announced the launch of PancakeSwap v3 on BNB Chain’s Layer2 network, opBNB. The announcement was made official through a post on its official X account and shared details via its blog.
🐰PancakeSwap v3 has officially launched on opBNB @BNBCHAIN!
— PancakeSwap🥞Everyone's Favorite DEX (@PancakeSwap) September 28, 2023
🔀Trade with fees as low as 0.01%
🥈Provide liquidity to the 2nd largest DEX
⛽️Transfer with gas fees as low as $0.005
👉Learn more: https://t.co/nvu7sZk0L7
🎥: https://t.co/xllWcW0fu2 pic.twitter.com/6QJWp4RdAt
According to the protocol’s blog, the new PancakeSwap v3 on opBNB promises traders and liquidity providers a host of benefits. These include the opportunity to trade with reduced fees, enjoy increased returns, and experience enhanced capital efficiency. Further, the Layer2 network ensures these advantages are delivered with high throughput and minimal gas fees.
opBNB, which powers this new integration, is built on the bedrock version of Optimism’s OP stack. It stands out as a swift Layer2 solution within the BNB Chain ecosystem.
Addressing the Layer1 Limitations
One of the significant challenges with numerous Layer1 blockchains has been handling high transaction volumes. With the introduction of opBNB on PancakeSwap, this issue is addressed.
The opBNB network boasts the capacity to handle over 4,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS). Additionally, it offers a minimal gas fee, which can go as low as $0.005. This ensures improved throughput and scalability for users.
In the words of the DEX, “PancakeSwap on opBNB offers a scalable solution; the opBNB network accommodates over 4,000 TPS and reduces gas fees to under $0.005 for transfers. Users enjoy improved throughput without sacrificing decentralization by offloading processing to Layer 2 while posting data to BNB Smart Chain.”
Expanding the DeFi Space
This recent integration marks opBNB as the sixth Layer2 network to be deployed on PancakeSwap v3. This expansion provides users with a broader range of options in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) space.
Chef Mochi, the Head Chef of PancakeSwap, shared insights on this development, stating that the integration showcases the DEX’s dedication to promoting widespread adoption and empowering users in the cryptocurrency arena.
“By joining forces with the opBNB, PancakeSwap is pleased to bring users more accessibility and functionality than ever before. Our decision to launch on opBNB reflects our continued commitment to driving mass adoption of DeFi, empowering users, and fostering a vibrant DeFi community,” Mochi said.
The launch of PancakeSwap v3 on opBNB is a significant step forward in the DeFi space, promising users enhanced transaction speeds, reduced fees, and an overall improved trading experience.
This is a paid press release, BSC.News does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or other materials on this page. The project team has purchased this advertisement article for $1500. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. BSC.News is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned in the press release.
This is a paid press release, BSC.News does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or other materials on this page. The project team has purchased this advertisement article for $2500. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. BSC.News is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned in the press release.
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