Master DeFi with trustworthy guidance

Follow a vetted sequence of exchange, wallet, then single-sided yield to practice secure fund flows before scaling up.

• 1

  Open a region-compliant exchange

  Complete KYC, enable 2FA, and add withdrawal address whitelists before depositing funds.

• 2

  Secure a wallet and seed phrase

  Install a trusted wallet, store the seed offline, and rehearse recovery steps before moving size.

• 3

  Test a low-risk yield loop

  Bridge a small amount to an L2, stake in a reputable protocol, and immediately test the unstake flow.

• 4

  Document your operations

  Track fees, approvals, and exit paths so you can repeat the process confidently with larger amounts.

Compare regional availability, security features, and fees so you can open a compliant CEX account with confidence.

• 1

  Evaluate regional support

  Confirm the exchange serves your jurisdiction, offers your fiat rails, and publishes regulatory disclosures.

• 2

  Complete secure onboarding

  Register with a strong password, enable TOTP 2FA, and prepare clean ID scans for KYC.

• 3

  Lock down withdrawals

  Activate address whitelists, anti-phishing codes, and review device/API permissions.

• 4

  Test deposit and exit flows

  Deposit a test amount, make a trade, and withdraw to self-custody to ensure the full path works.

Follow this checklist to prepare your wallet, test transactions, and make a confident first deposit.

• 1

  Set up a self-custodial wallet

  Install a wallet such as MetaMask and back up the seed phrase offline. Avoid screenshots and cloud storage.

• 2

  Experiment with small amounts

  Fund the wallet with a small amount of ETH and perform a test swap to understand gas fees and confirmations.

• 3

  Compare protocols on Safe Yields

  Filter by chain, category, or risk level to shortlist protocols that match your goals.

• 4

  Make your first deposit

  Allocate a small position, confirm the transaction, and verify the balance in the protocol dashboard.

Install MetaMask, secure the seed phrase, and add the networks you plan to use.

• 1

  Install from the official source

  Download MetaMask from the official website or browser store to avoid malicious extensions.

• 2

  Record the seed phrase securely

  Write it down or store it in a hardware-backed vault. Never share it or store it in plain text online.

• 3

  Set a strong password and auto-lock

  Use a unique password and reduce the auto-lock timer so the wallet locks quickly when idle.

• 4

  Add frequently used networks

  Preload RPC endpoints for networks like Arbitrum, Polygon, or Base for smoother switching.

Evaluate risk profiles, diversify exposures, and define exit rules before committing capital.

• 1

  Assess your risk tolerance

  Use Safe Yields risk filters (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH) to align allocations with your comfort zone.

• 2

  Diversify protocol types

  Spread capital across staking, lending, and AMM protocols to reduce single-point failures.

• 3

  Check if yields are sustainable

  Determine whether returns come from temporary incentives or durable fee revenue.

• 4

  Plan your exit strategy

  Set profit targets and drawdown thresholds so you can exit quickly when conditions change.

Convert APR to APY, factor in transaction costs, and compare against live data feeds.

• 1

  Understand reward schedules

  Review documentation to learn how often rewards accrue—per block, daily, or weekly.

• 2

  Convert APR to APY

  Use the formula APY = (1 + APR/n)^n - 1, where n is the compounding frequency.

• 3

  Subtract gas and protocol fees

  Estimate annual costs with the Safe Yields Gas Calculator to get a realistic net yield.

• 4

  Cross-check with external sources

  Compare your numbers with Safe Yields live data or DeFiLlama to spot anomalies early.

Connect a hardware wallet to sign transactions safely when interacting with DeFi dApps.

• 1

  Buy from the manufacturer

  Purchase directly from the official store to avoid tampered devices.

• 2

  Update firmware and apps

  Initialize the device using official software and update to the latest firmware before use.

• 3

  Link to your software wallet

  Connect the hardware wallet to MetaMask or Rabby so approvals require physical confirmation.

• 4

  Test with a small transfer

  Send a small amount to confirm the signing flow before moving significant funds.