Donut app enables you to earn high yield interest rates through decentralized finance (DeFi) lending. Think of it as alternative investing by funding DeFi loans.
What is Donut App?
Donut is a high-yield, fixed-income product powered by DeFi Lending. It helps your money work harder by earning up to 10% APY. You transfer money into your Donut account, and it’s converted to digital dollars (stablecoins such as DAI) and then lent in decentralized money markets where you’re guaranteed a 4% APY.
Through DeFi, the Donut app allows everyday people to participate and earn in the decentralized ecosystem.
Learn about alternative interest-earning accounts offered by BlockFi
Neel Popat and Jordan Abderrachid founded the Donut with a mission “to create a more inclusive financial world.” Is investing in a new asset class an opportunity to diversify your portfolio? Continue reading.
What is Decentralized Finance?
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a term used for a financial product that uses blockchain technology to create new business ways. Blockchain technology is what powers the cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The goal of DeFi is to offer financial services that are faster, cheaper, and safer than those offered by centralized institutions such as banks and financial exchanges.
What is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger that enables secure transactions between two parties. The first use case for blockchain was Bitcoin which allows users to transfer money to another without using banks. Today, blockchain has applications in healthcare, finance, supply chain management, and identity verification.
How the Donut App Works
Donut offers high-interest-earning accounts allowing you to earn more compared to traditional savings accounts. It’s similar in concept to how banks use fiat currency (US Dollars) in deposits and lending scenarios. Essentially, as an account holder, you become a lender of sorts earning higher rates and helping borrowers access funds.
Through the Donut App, you can:
- Choose from three plans where you can earn 4% fixed or up to 10% variable rate.
- Add and withdraw money anytime.
- Automate your savings and set up recurring deposits to invest your spare change.
- Discover ways to earn more APY for up to six months.
It’s vital to understand there are risks associated with any investments. The DeFi ecosystem relies on the integrity of partners governed and audited smart contracts. It would be best if you considered the potential risks of any emerging technology.
Donut is available in the United States, excluding NY residents.
What Donut Plans are Available?
Donut App offers three plans for users. Every account starts with the Save Plan and is upgradeable.
Save: 4% Fixed APY
Save plan is our most secure plan, offering a predictable 4% Fixed APY. Donut oversees the funds directly with lending made to a trusted pool of institutional borrowers.
Build: 5-7% Variable APY
The Build plan provides a balanced approach to capital preservation and growth by lending to institutional borrowers and using Yearn, a trusted service that manages over $2 billion in assets. Yearn’s unique algorithm optimizes your yields across several DeFi protocols to help you earn more interest in your money.
Grow: 6-10% Variable APY
Grow plan is a yield-optimized DeFi lending opportunity powered by Yearn, designed to make the most of DeFi lending opportunities. The plan is best for income and capital growth.
Features & Benefits
Donut App helps you earn more through these features:
- Interest-Earning: have your money work harder for you through high-yield accounts that beat most traditional and online savings account rates.
- Access: add and withdraw to your link bank account at any time. There are no lock-ins or annual commitments.
- Schedule: set a recurring schedule to deposit money into your account and earn more.
- Collect: link the cards you use most, and Donut automatically collects the spare change from each purchase. It’s similar to Acorns RoundUp.
- Boost: Invest friends and receive 1% APY Boost for 30 days when your referral makes their first deposit.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), commonly used to insure bank deposits, does not cover digital assets or insures decentralized financial accounts. The FDIC does not insure Donut accounts. Read our review of Donut App Alternative: BlockFi
Minimum Requirements
- Be 18 years or older.
- Verifiable personal information.
- Social security number.
- An iPhone user. It’s currently not available on Android.
Fees
Annual fee: 2% already built into the plans. Donut does not charge additional fees. The company states when you earn 4% APY; you get exactly 4% APY.
Who is it best for?
Donut app is best for investors looking to diversify their portfolio and utilizing new technology to do so. Intermediate to experienced investors with an understanding of DeFi opportunities may enjoy the Donut app. 
Donut App Review
Donut app is a legit company. It has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on the App Store with primarily positive reviews about the level of service given to users.
Our Donut app review seems like a conventional savings app using decentralized finance to give users an above-average interest rate on savings. If you’ve used apps like Acorns or Stash, then you’ll find similarities in how Donut operates. Of course, the differentiator is the technology and the use of your money in DeFi.
The Donut app is for people who don’t want the complexity of blockchain technology (DeFi and cryptocurrencies). The app helps you earn money and does all the work in the backend to offer you the highest yields.
With that said, it’s essential to understand any new technology comes with risks. Donut app is not without risks, and DeFi lending is a new frontier. Consider your risk tolerance, existing asset classes, and your existing investment strategy.
Otherwise, it may be good to test out Donut and see how it can work for you to grow your money.
Pros
- Easy and user-friendly mobile platform.
- Earn high yields on your money.
- Low minimum amount requirement.
Cons
- Savings are not insured.
How to Open a Donut App Account
The time needed: 5 minutes.
Step-by-step to start earning more with Donut
- Get started
- Download the app by clicking on this link here
- Submit your application
- Legal first and last name and email address.
- Link your bank account
- Transfer funds into your new Donut account. Bank connects securely managed through Plaid.
Donut App Alternative
If you’re looking for an alternative, BlockFi (read BlockFi review) and Voyager (read our Voyager review) are good options to consider for their interest-earning accounts.
How Can Donut Offer Higher Yields?
When you save with Donut, the company automatically converts your US dollars to stablecoins to use in decentralized markets. Donut’s partners lend your dollars at high-interest rates through a global and decentralized pool of borrowers. In return, you earn a guaranteed return of 4% or up to 10% depending on your risk tolerance.
Is Donut safe for your money?
Digital currency is not legal tender, is not backed by any federal government, and Donut accounts are not FDIC insured. “While Donut and its custodial partners make every effort to keep your money safe and covered, please note that any investment entails risk.” Donut works with its trusted lending partners. But, it doesn’t mean there is no possibility that you could leave with less money than your initial investment.
What’s the risk in DeFi Lending?
The main risk with DeFi lending products is the possibility of default. Various lending protocols exist to help borrowers access funds and enable savers to earn higher interest rates. DeFi lending is highly collateralized, often over 125%. When Donut lends your money, it is highly collateralized–typically 125%-200%–to ensure your principal is covered. The requirement for high coverage is to reduce lending risk.
How to Contact Donut Customer Support?
You can reach Donut customer service within the in-app chat or email.
Reviews
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