# Balanced > Cross-chain DeFi that's actually usable Balanced is a cross-chain DeFi app. It lets users swap crypto, earn interest, and borrow against their holdings across multiple blockchains through third-party protocols. Balanced is a cross-chain DeFi app that lets users trade, earn interest, and borrow crypto across multiple blockchains from one interface. It works as a frontend for third-party protocols, starting with SODAX, rather than running a protocol of its own. The app is built for people who want cross-chain DeFi without a long learning curve. The exchange routes trades through SODAX Intents, which source prices from multiple trading venues and complete cross-chain swaps. Users can supply crypto to the money market to earn a variable rate and borrow supported assets against collateral held on another chain. The Balanced Dollar (bnUSD), an overcollateralized stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, can be borrowed at a fixed rate. A customizable Home page adds widgets for price charts, vault strategies, and portfolio tracking. Balanced is used by crypto holders who trade, lend, and borrow across multiple blockchain ecosystems. Its original app is winding down as users move to the current version. - Type: Protocol - Sector: DeFi - Status: Active - Founded: 2021-04-26 - Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/balanced ## Products - [Balanced](https://thegrid.id/profiles/balanced): Balanced is a cross-chain DeFi platform providing a money market and exchange across multiple blockchains. The money market enables users to supply crypto assets to earn variable-rate interest and borrow against cross-chain collateral. The exchange aggregates prices from multiple decentralized exchanges via SODAX Intents, settling cross-chain swaps within seconds. The bnUSD stablecoin is accessible as a fixed-rate borrowable asset, backed by over-collateralized crypto collateral. (Decentralised Borrowing & Lending, Live, Main Product) ## Assets - [Balanced Dollar (bnUSD)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/balanced): bnUSD is a decentralized USD-pegged stablecoin backed by crypto collateral on Balanced. It is used for trading, earning interest in money markets, and borrowing at a fixed 2% annual rate across multiple blockchains. Unlike fiat-backed stablecoins, it maintains its peg through over-collateralization and a Stability Fund that arbitrages price deviations by swapping approved stablecoins 1:1 for bnUSD. (Stablecoin) - [Balance Token (BALN)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/balanced): BALN is the governance token of Balanced. It was used to vote on protocol upgrades, boost liquidity rewards, and earn a share of network fees. In November 2025, governance was shut down via BIP 112 and BALN inflation was halted, rendering it without utility; holders can migrate to SODA, the SODAX governance token. (Governance) ## Links - [Main](https://balanced.network) - [Documentation](https://docs.balanced.network) - [Blog](https://blog.balanced.network) - [Forum](https://gov.balanced.network) - [Privacy policy](https://balanced.network/privacy) - [Terms of Service](https://balanced.network/disclaimer) - [Media Kit/branding](https://balanced.network/brand) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/BalancedDeFi) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/BalancedDAO) - [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/BalancedNetwork) - [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/balanceddefi.bsky.social) - [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/xyW5Z5n9Pw) ## Legal This data is provided under two licensing models. Model 1 - open data. The open data core is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) — a copyleft/share-alike license allowing free use, modification, and sharing for any purpose. Attribution is required: include "Powered by The Grid" linking to https://thegrid.id wherever the data is used. 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