Top 5 DeFi marketing agencies: amplify success & community

To understand what DeFi and crypto marketing have to do with each other, we need to break down these terms and find common ground.

DeFi, or Decentralized Finance, is a parallel financial system to a traditional one. DeFi is a technology that allows anyone, anytime, anywhere to be in control of their data and assets without centralized intermediaries like banks (in the case of TradFi) or centralized crypto exchanges (like Coinbase, Binance, etc.).

DeFi users use the blockchain to own, store, trade and invest cryptocurrencies peer-to-peer.

Therefore, one of the most important components of DeFi is trust between users, which is ensured by transparent transactions on chain.

So, crypto marketing is a way to promote your DeFi project and better understand your community.

We won’t go deeper into other crypto marketing special features, as we did earlier in Compatibility test: how to find crypto marketing agency. 

DeFi marketing, a niche of crypto marketing, is something even more special.

Why DeFi marketing stands out?

DeFi marketing falls under the larger umbrella of crypto marketing. As something nichier, it requires a special approach:

1. Paradigm of decentralization: unlike many crypto projects, which are backed by a centralized organization, DeFi projects are fundamentally decentralized and often managed by a community of token holders. This unique dynamic changes the way projects should be marketed.
2. Innovation adoption cycle: while blockchain-savvy early adopters may already be using DeFi, getting the rest of us on board, even crypto users, is a challenge. Thus, DeFi marketing must also appeal to those who are less familiar with blockchain technology or for whom the DeFi concept is even new.
3. Financial literacy: DeFi solutions aim to replace or enhance traditional financial services. To be successful here, marketing agencies must be knowledgeable in both blockchain and finance. This requires a deep understanding of financial markets, services and instruments, as well as crypto.

And hence, it’s important to choose a marketing agency that not only understands crypto but also DeFi, and has a track record of success to match.

Disclaimer. All the above challenges do not mean that the public is not ready for DeFi, because it is technically complex. It just means that the founders and marketers need to understand the technology and be able to educate and inform the public about DeFi.

If you need more explanations about what DeFi is, you can read A DeFinitive Guide to DeFi – Everything You Need to Know About Decentralized Finance

Before you jump into the best DeFi marketing agencies, let me introduce you to the most common DeFi applications.

Most common DeFi use cases

If your project falls into these categories, congrats – you’ve come to the right place. Note: You can find more DeFi use cases in our DeFi Academy. The following list contains only the most common ones.

1. Lending & Borrowing: Users lend their cryptocurrency assets for interest or borrow assets against their crypto collateral. For example, you can deposit Bitcoin and earn interest or use Bitcoin as collateral to borrow Ethereum
2. Stablecoins: Stablecoins are digital tokens that are pegged to fiat (like the U.S. dollar) to avoid the volatility of cryptocurrencies. With blockchain transparency and security, you can buy and use them like regular money.
   
   Dive deeper into stablecoins: USDT vs USDC: Which stablecoin to use
3. Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs): These are platforms where you can trade (buy or sell) cryptocurrencies directly with other users, without the need for an intermediary like a traditional exchange.

Read our guide on DEXs: What are DEXs? Decentralized Exchanges Explained

If you’re building or planning to build something like this, look no further. You are about to meet the best DeFi marketing agencies that will help you understand, attract and satisfy the needs of your users.

Best DeFi marketing agencies

Disclaimer: I have Safary to thank for a list of these agencies. In particular, the post by Justin Vogel, the co-founder of Safary, who posted a great infographic on LinkedIn.

Now for the die-hards.

Let’s take a step back and say that no marketing efforts will advance your project unless you’re really into the DeFi paradigm.

That is, if you don’t care about your community more than anything else.

Why is community more important than marketing?

I’m not saying they can’t work together. We even composed a list of the best DeFi marketing agencies. 

But.

Community engagement isn’t just a good-to-have, it’s a must-have for DeFi. Your users are far more than just a collection of people, they’re the lifeblood of your project.

It’s exactly a community that ensures growth, which is more than just an increase in numbers.

Their commitment and loyalty lead to real and sustainable growth.

They’re also often a project’s governing body, democratizing decision-making and fostering a sense of ownership that marketers struggle to deliver.

And when the market fluctuates, it’s the community that serves as an anchor and provides unwavering support.

Conclusion

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) marketing is unique and requires specialized knowledge and strategies. Given the complexity and innovation of DeFi projects, marketing agencies must have a deep understanding of blockchain, finance, and the nuances of the decentralized economy. 

Some of the best agencies equipped for the task include Serotonin, Myosin, Scrib3, MarketAcross, and Spark + Mint. These agencies offer a wide range of services and can point to successful DeFi marketing campaigns.

The success of a DeFi project does not rest solely on a well-thought-out marketing strategy. 

Community engagement plays a critical role in the growth and success of your project.