Compound is an algorithmic, autonomous interest rate protocol— allowing users & applications to frictionlessly earn interest or borrow Ethereum assets.

If you have questions or to learn more, join the Compound Discord.

Getting Started

How do I use Compound?

Where else can I access the Compound protocol?

There are a number of community-built interfaces that you can use to access the Compound protocol & markets, including Zerion, InstaDapp, etc. You can find the full list on Compound Labs’s website.

How does the Compound protocol work?

Compound is the first “liquidity pool” — instead of lending assets directly to another user, you supply liquidity to a market, and users borrow from that market.

In each market, interest rates are determined algorithmically (based on supply and demand), and interest accrues every Ethereum block.

There are no pre-defined durations or terms (such as “90 days”) — you can use the Compound protocol for as short as one block, or as long as you’d like; you’re free to withdraw or repay at any time.

I’ve heard of cTokens, what are those?

When you supply assets to the Compound protocol, your balance is represented as a cToken, which can be transferred, traded, or programmed by developers to create new experiences, similar to other Ethereum tokens..