European regulators are tightening crypto tax reporting through the EU’s DAC8 framework, aligning with the OECD’s Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and focusing enforcement on identifiable intermediaries like exchanges and custodians. For now, decentralized finance (DeFi) largely sits outside these reporting rules because protocols often lack a clear reporting entity, but that exclusion is fragile as authorities explore AML-style accountability.

Makina, a DeFi protocol, reported a $4.2 million exploit on 20 January 2026 tied to liquidity providers in its DUSD/USDC Curve pool, adding to rising DeFi attacks in early 2026 with over $34 million in losses already recorded.

When the system says “trust us,” remember who built it. From bank bailouts to “restricted lists,” centralized finance protects the few while preaching safety to the many. DeFi isn’t rebellion—it’s reclamation. It’s how everyday people take back control of their money, their privacy, and their future.