// GLOSSARY -- DEFI
What is DeFi Aggregation?
DeFi aggregation is the practice of combining multiple DeFi protocols and liquidity sources into unified interfaces — optimizing execution across the fragmented DeFi landscape.
WHY IT MATTERS
DeFi aggregation addresses complexity and fragmentation. Instead of comparing rates across 10 lending protocols or routing swaps across 20 DEXs manually, aggregators handle optimization automatically.
Types of aggregation: DEX aggregation (1inch, Paraswap), yield aggregation (Yearn, Beefy), and super-aggregation (platforms that aggregate across all DeFi verticals).
Aggregation layers are increasingly where users interact with DeFi. Rather than using Uniswap or Aave directly, users go through aggregators that find the best rates across everything.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why not just use individual protocols?
Aggregators find better rates, optimize gas, and handle routing complexity. For most users, the improvement in execution quality exceeds the minor fee overhead.
Do aggregators introduce risk?
Aggregator smart contracts add an additional layer of risk. However, major aggregators are well-audited, and the risk is typically lower than manually interacting with unfamiliar protocols.
What is super-aggregation?
Platforms that aggregate across DeFi verticals — finding the best yield across lending + LP + staking, or the best swap across DEXs + cross-chain bridges. Emerging but growing.