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The quantum of investment in building the digital infrastructure underpinning DeFi is mind blowing.The idea for banks began almost 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon, when money lenders made loans to people and began charging interest.
The concept of banking is relatively simple: an intermediary takes money deposited by one entity and then lends it to someone else for a fee – interest.
The bank, or the middleman, takes their cut of the interest paid and the entity who lent the money in the first place gets the rest.
This system worked for thousands of years.
Until the proliferation of blockchain technology started to threaten the supremacy of the middlemen.
With blockchain technology, a network of computers verifies transactions, doing away with the need for the central authority figure to manage the ledger.
With the ledger becoming decentralised – the big, powerful authority in the middle is no longer required.
With the middleman out of the way, decentralised finance, or DeFi, emerged.
Money without the middlemanDeFi is an umbrella term for a variety of financial applications in cryptocurrency, or blockchain, geared toward disrupting financial intermediaries.
The DeFi concept has libertarian undertones, and resonates with society’s underdogs who’ve for centuries been oppressed by the political and financial elite.
It’s therefore hardly surprising that DeFi spread like wildfire throughout the crypto community.
2023 onwards saw a huge build out of yield-based, unregulated DeFi and crypto “shadow banks”.
While DeFi terminology is different to traditional banking, in the most basic use case, the user locks-in their crypto tokens into a smart contract and earns a return from the DeFi platform for doing so.
In decentralised finance, this is known as “DeFi staking”. In traditional banking it’s called a bank fixed deposit.
During the boom, one of the biggest DeFi lenders, Celsius, were offering users yields of 18% for depositing their crypto with the firm.
US banks during the same period were offering rates less than 1%.
But like most things in finance, the higher the return, the higher the risk.
The crypto equivalent of a run on the banksCryptocurrencies have suffered a savage meltdown this year. Bitcoin has lost almost 60% of its value since the beginning of 2023.
Warren Buffett famously once said: “only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked”.
And in June, Celsius were caught out in the changing crypto tide.
The company told users that it was pausing all withdrawals, swaps and transfers due to extreme market conditions.
Celsius managed $11.8 billion in assets as of May 17, according to the company’s website.
And just like the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, the contagion spread throughout the markets. Only this time, there was no government bailout.
The future of DeFi and what it means for traditional banksThe big question is whether DeFi can recover from its 2023 crisis of confidence.
Idealism only stretches so far when people have lost money.
Certainly the quantum of investment in building the digital infrastructure underpinning DeFi is mind blowing.
As of mid-August, the total value locked in decentralised finance projects was about $62 billion, though that’s down from a peak of $250 billion in December 2023.
It’s estimated that transaction costs for DeFi are anywhere from 5-30% cheaper than traditional payment methods, due to super-fast digital architecture.
This type of value doesn’t simply evaporate.
But for DeFi to survive, it’s going to need to offer more than being an unregulated, digital version of traditional banks.
And there are probably some good lessons forged over thousands of years such as the importance of protecting and preserving customers’ capital.
There’s certainly cause for traditional banks to be nervous, the quantum leaps in technology, the rate of customer adoption and the speed of transactions should have old-school banks shaking in their boots.
But there’s one big problem for DeFi still to solve – programming Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” with a dead man’s brake before the bullet train goes over the cliff.
Heidi is the CEO of finance data and media platform Grafa. She consults to a range of companies from ASX Top 200 to fast growing startups and cryptocurrency companies.
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How Are Banks Implementing Blockchain?
Blockchain is a perfect fit for the banking industry. Banks currently face several pain points: they rely on highly-specific banking experts and bankers, constantly battling cybersecurity risks and breaches, and their operations are overly complex. However, with blockchain, banks can operate more efficiently by connecting to smart contracts instead of relying on people. Blockchain also solves the issue of cybersecurity by making it impossible to hack. Finally, individual components can be isolated from one another so that if one fails, everything remains operational.
Complexity is the enemy of efficiency, and complexity costs money. Although blockchain technology is complex, it removes large chunks of complexity from the modern financial system. In doing so, blockchain reduces the number of people needed to monitor various operations and the cost of those people. According to Blythe Masters, CEO of Digital Asset Holdings, “Blockchain technology can dramatically simplify and reduce the cost of our back- and middle-office functions.”
The blockchain also reduces inefficiencies associated with cybersecurity risks and breaches. The world has no choice but to take blockchain seriously because of its potential to solve central banking problems and bring efficiency to the financial sector.
Blockchain technology also reduces the cost of compliance for banks through automation. Because blockchain is a transparent ledger, it allows regulators to see their progress in real-time. There are significant opportunities for banks to use blockchain technology to disrupt other institutions.
The blockchain can also disrupt the $155 trillion derivatives market. Derivatives are investments whose value depends on an underlying asset. According to Bloomberg, “Derivatives hold a huge sway over the world economy, and their prices are determined by complicated algorithms based on multiple factors, including interest rates and exchange rates.”
It is estimated that blockchain technology may save banks up to $20 billion per year in settlement times and reduce risk exposure by making it easier to complete transactions. The technology needed for derivatives is similar to a stock exchange, which allows banks to build blockchain solutions for products.
Marketplaces are the third central area where banks may be able to disrupt other industries using blockchain technology. One example is OpenBazaar, an open-source marketplace that uses bitcoin as a currency. The new platform allows buyers and sellers to trade without an intermediary. Nonetheless, this system may be better suited to some industries than others.
Banks may find themselves in competition with bitcoin. As of November 2023, bitcoin had a market capitalization of $12 billion and is proliferating. Ripple has a market capitalization of just $22 million and is mainly used by banks as an internal payment system.
Another way that blockchain technology could disrupt the traditional role of banks in society can be seen through its potential use in the financial sector. Blockchain technology allows banks to compete for the attention of young consumers by creating new forms of digital money that do not exist on paper. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin now hold a market share comparable to that of Visa or MasterCard combined.
The blockchain allows banks to provide services such as cross-border transactions and the sending of remittances have the potential to become significantly faster with blockchain technology. It is estimated that 40% of remittances in the world move through Western Union and Moneygram – two companies that can be potentially disrupted by blockchain technology.
Blockchain’s Impact on IndiaThere are many banks that have been established in the world. However, there is one technology that has affected them all and it’s called blockchain. The ability to share data across a network of computers is known as a blockchain. It can be replicated and used for the verification of transactions. The “distributed ledger” ensures records cannot be changed without the agreement of everyone on that network.
Blockchain technology can also record each transaction or transfer of the cryptocurrency at any given time, thereby ensuring an accurate public record of economic activity within the system with minimal use of resources while making it more difficult to falsify said records in any way possible.
This new technology or method can be used to store valuable data which needs to be secured, such as intellectual property, bank balances, and voting rights with there being no central location or data storage system that can be hacked into. There are some banks that have decided to use this technology and its potential in the banking industry. One of them is Barclays Bank. This bank was the first to use blockchain for international transactions involving multiple currencies in a single transaction. The World Bank’s head department is currently testing out several projects which make use of blockchain technology.
ConclusionWhat Is Decentralized Finance (Defi)? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising applications of cryptocurrency technology. And while it may sound complicated, DeFi is just an umbrella term used to describe financial products and services that are completely independent of any authorities.
Imagine a world where common services such as loans, cross-border payments, insurance, and retirement savings don’t require a bank account or approval from an authority. That is DeFi’s vision essentially, to establish an open standard. This new standard doesn’t leave room for predatory intermediaries or third parties either — and promises to herald a new era of financial efficiency, inclusion, and transparency.
Indeed, those are a lot of bold claims. So in this article, let’s examine this emerging technology, understand how it works, and how it will likely influence your financial life in the future.
What is Decentralized Finance (DeFi)?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of how DeFi works, it’s important first to understand the way things currently work in the world of traditional finance, or TradFi as it is sometimes called in cryptocurrency circles.
Say you want to trade one asset for another, like stocks for cash — you would need an exchange or trading platform to facilitate this trade. Now assume you’re in the market for a new car or house and require a loan. What are your only options? A bank or local credit union, at best. Whether you’re trying to save money for your retirement or transferring money abroad, you typically have to trust one or multiple institutions to achieve that goal.
On the surface, trusting such institutions doesn’t seem too problematic as they’ve been around for decades, if not centuries. Dig only a little deeper, though, and the finance sector’s controversial past, including events such as the 2008 mortgage crisis, can leave you wondering if your trust is perhaps misplaced.
However, even if you aren’t distrustful of modern banking practices, you are undoubtedly affected by them in one way or another. High commissions, arbitrary restrictions, and red tape are commonplace today, despite technology to eliminate these long-standing complaints.
Whereas most technologies tend to automate workers on the periphery doing menial tasks, blockchains automate away the center. Instead of putting the taxi driver out of a job, blockchain puts Uber out of a job and lets the taxi drivers work with the customer directly.
Since blockchain technology is decentralized and does not rely on central banks or fiat currencies, DeFi is global and borderless.
DeFi eliminates intermediaries. This, in turn, saves users from having to deal with lengthy approval processes, paperwork, fees, and even discrimination.
Besides efficiency, DeFi platforms could potentially offer improved security and privacy, with lower risks of data leaks. In the case of popular projects, at least, bugs and glaring security issues are often peer-reviewed and fixed before updates are released to the public.
Banks often struggle to offer financial services in less developed areas. According to the World Bank, around 1.7 billion people don’t have access to financial services. DeFi doesn’t require identification or other labor-intensive processes and could bank the unbanked.
How do DeFi apps work?
DeFi apps and services rely on a specific blockchain-derived technology called smart contracts. These are essentially digital contracts that execute automatically when some condition is met. Anyone can create and publish their own smart contracts on a blockchain platform like Ethereum. And once signed by the concerned parties, the contract cannot be modified or tampered with.
All of these properties make smart contracts perfect for automatically enforcing the terms of even the most sophisticated agreements in finance, such as loan repayments and insurance payouts. Most notably, all of this is achieved without a single human third-party or higher authority.
Developers create smart contracts just like any other piece of software you interact with. A bundle of such digital contracts is often referred to as a decentralized application, or dapp.
Read more: 10 best crypto wallets for Android
Most Ethereum wallets can talk to dapps these days, and we even explored some of the best options in our roundup of software wallets. As for which dapps in the DeFi space are worth using, we’ll explore some of the most popular projects in a later section.
Will DeFi disrupt the existing financial landscape?Decentralized finance has plenty of potential to reach the world’s unbanked population — that much is clear. However, if you already have an existing relationship with financial institutions, what does DeFi offer and do better? Here are a couple of examples:
If DeFi is successful, increased competition should lower fees for both merchants and consumers.
For proof of this changing landscape, take a look at Amazon Singapore. In August 2023, it announced an unprecedented 0.5% surcharge on Visa card transactions. It’s probably no coincidence that Amazon and Walmart also began hiring cryptocurrency and blockchain experts around the same time.
Instantaneous loans and lending opportunities
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
For decades now, individuals have relied on banks and financial institutions to deliver loans. Somewhat unfortunately, however, lenders are neither universally fair nor inclusive. Furthermore, the process of getting a loan approved involves navigating a complex web of documentation and human oversight. Obtaining a loan isn’t as simple as proving your ability to pay it back these days.
Over the past couple of years, the DeFi sector has offered a glimpse at how blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies could democratize lending and borrowing. The biggest names in this segment today are Maker, Aave, and Compound.
In a nutshell, these are platforms that allow you to earn interest on deposited cryptocurrency. For instance, Aave currently offers an annual interest rate of around 3% if you deposit stablecoins such as DAI, Tether, or USD Coin. Other individuals can then borrow from this pool of deposits at a slightly higher interest rate.
Read more: What is Tether (USDT)? Everything you need to know about stablecoins
The difference between traditional loans and DeFi ones is that the process is fully automated, from start to finish. As a borrower, you’re expected to offer some collateral equal to the value you’re borrowing. If you default on your future monthly payments, another smart contract can liquidate your collateral to close the loan.
While collateralized loans are nothing new, they are fraught with delays and high fees in the traditional finance space. A well-thought-out decentralized lending platform offers a passive revenue stream to lenders that’s otherwise only available to banks and large financial institutions. Borrowers, meanwhile, don’t even need a bank account to obtain a loan.
A decentralized lending platform offers lenders a stream of passive revenue that’s otherwise only available to banks and large financial institutions.
Today’s DeFi loans typically ask for cryptocurrency as collateral, and issue stablecoins or other cryptocurrencies in return. In a few years, though, DeFi supporters believe the technology could be applied to other forms of collateral, including mortgages and even unsecured loans.
Real-world DeFi applications you can try todayGiven how closely the DeFi and cryptocurrency industries are linked, it’s no surprise that the vast majority of applications revolve around digital currencies as well. Estimates indicate that DeFi has already amassed $100 billion in user deposited value.
You need to be at least ankle-deep in the cryptocurrency ecosystem to realize the technology’s benefits today. Luckily, all you need to create a cryptocurrency wallet is a computer and internet connection. Here are some of the most prominent DeFi applications available today.
LendingApps: Aave, Compound, Oasis
If you’ve got a cryptocurrency balance sitting in a digital wallet, you can earn interest on it by lending a portion of it out. This makes your holdings productive, while taking on minimal risk in the process.
Getting started with lending is pretty simple. The only limitation, for now, is that you need to own an Ethereum-based token to participate. Most popular ERC-20 tokens are supported, with a popular choice being the stablecoin DAI.
If the price for a “Yes” share is $0.75, then the market believes the probability that the event will occur is 75%.
However, if Amazon did start accepting Bitcoin-based payments, the market would stand resolved, and anyone that bought shares of the once-unlikely Yes outcome would then be able to sell at much higher prices.
Read more: Bitcoin explained: The controversial digital currency worth billions
As is probably evident by now, DeFi has limitless potential, even in sectors that existing financial giants don’t typically cover. We recommend checking out this list maintained by the Ethereum Foundation for a more expansive list of use-cases.
What are the downsides to DeFi?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
So far, we’ve only really discussed the merits of DeFi. Admittedly, however, various unknown factors and potential pitfalls could render the technology infeasible. While many believe these are just growing pains that will eventually go away, they’re still worth acknowledging today.
For starters, the DeFi ecosystem’s lack of intermediaries could create a vacuum where malicious actors or even outright fraudulent behavior can run rampant. Take the previous example of credit cards, for example. For all the fees Visa and Mastercard collect from merchants, they do offer tangible benefits to both businesses and consumers in the form of grievance redressal and dispute resolution.
Business In 2023: What Are The Ins And Out?
Business is based on people’s choices, preferences, and tastes. To start your venture, you need to understand these demands and plan your actions accordingly. If you want to create your own project but can’t chalk out what will be your action plan, read the article and get the input.
Each year comes with new demand, and its keeps on changing. Entrepreneurs need to sense the changing mind of the buyers as the behavioral psychology of people, buying influence and many parameters never stay static. So, your ability to accommodate yourself with their modified buying decision must be the first priority.
Let’s know what you should keep in mind in 2023 if you already plan to start your own venture.
Understand the ParametersThere are a couple of measures you must keep in mind when starting your business in this aspect.
Your Product/ServiceYour product or service selection is crucial in 2023 because the world has already witnessed a pandemic, worldwide recession, and uncertain economy. So, when you try to sell your product or service, it must fall under the necessary commodity, or it will take time to increase your revenue.
Your USPAfter the product or service selection, you need to decide on your USP (Unique Selling Point), and you need vigorous market research. Your USP can place you to stand ahead of your competitors if you have the excellent market knowledge and understand the pulse of the buyers.
Understand your SpecializationHow to reach out to your buyers is a necessary skill. So, understand your specialization and start focusing on that aspect. Your growth will eventually be secured.
Build your Business WebsiteWhether you want to grab the local market or go offshore, you need a website to showcase your business profile to your buyers and investors.
Manage your CustomersIf you want to fetch good returns, you must know how to manage customers, keep them with your products and offer them the best buying experience so that they return to you.
These are the measures you must calculate before jumping into your venture. However, your interactions with others, how good you’re at the sale, and how much you demand what you offer also play a vital role.
Let’s check out which businesses have a possible bright start this year.
List of the Businesses that May Do Good in 2023 Digital MarketingSince online business sets a new era, digital marketing has become the ultimate way to reach maximum customers. It’s a comprehensive marketing module in which marketers utilize social media platforms to grab the market. Under digital marketing, there are various modules you can try that include −
SEO − In SEO or Search Engine Optimization, you will learn how to build links among sites. How to generate traffic and how to increase sales. In online business, SEO plays a significant role.
Website Developer − Online presence is mandatory nowadays, and website developers are doing well. Small, medium, or large size, a website can explain the business better than any other means of elaboration.
Social Media Marketer − It’s another good business in 2023 since social media became the best medium for socializing. Marketers can earn good profits for their clients and fast growth.
There are more than 40+ modules that come under the digital marketing umbrella, which can give you kick-start your career. Digital marketing course fees are economical, so you can learn 2 to 3 modules and offer your service; even you can join a job to understand how the industry works.
Food DeliverySince cloud kitchens are doing great serving food at the customers’ doorstep, you can try your career as a food delivery manager. You need vehicles, a delivery agent, and knowledge about your locality. Medium-scale investment is required to start the business, and it has high return possibilities within 4 to 5 months.
Personal Coach (for Mental & Physical well-being)Post covid people are suffering from various mental issues, and it could be another epidemic in the coming years. If you have a specialized degree and experience to manage mentally down and broken people, treat them and help them get back to their normal life, you can start Personal Coaching. You can begin to do it online and slowly open your own clinic when you develop a good client base. Personal coaching doesn’t consider a business; instead, it’s an emergency service you’re offering. If you recommend therapy work, you can earn well. Here, investment is low to medium, and a high return is expected.
App DevelopmentApplications make our life easier. In every aspect, you search for an application if it’s available on Google play or the Apple store. If you have a marvelous idea to sort out issues, your solution can come as an application. Develop an app, place it on Google or Apple store, and ask users to use it. Here, you need great marketing to outreach to the users. Investment is comparatively high, but you’ll get a good return.
Vehicle Wash & ServicingAs people start going outside, they’re more concerned about their vehicles. You can be the savior on the highway for a family whose car broke down and is about to spoil their family outing. Even car cleaning is an excellent business option as working, or business professionals cannot manage their vehicles. For repairing and servicing, you need a good knowledge of the components and parts of cars. Investment is medium here. You need to select an excellent location to offer your service.
Motel BusinessFood and lodging on the highway can be a great business idea. People who go out with their family often need night stay with fooding facilities. If you are good at managing catering, you can start it. After the pandemic, people started revisiting places. Here, the necessity of a Motel with good food and a minimum night stay facility can give you a good return on your investment. Here investment can be high, and the expected ROI is also considerable.
FreelancingIf you are good at 2 or 3 skills and do not want to work under the boss, you can be your own boss by starting freelancing. Freelancing is a broad subject, and you can choose anything that includes Copywriting, Content writing, Digital marketing, Online tutoring, Property agent, Policy agent, and so on. You can start it with minimal investment in your field of interest and grow your client base.
Pet ManagingIf you like pets, you can look after your neighbors’ pets when they are on vacation. You can rent a place and start a kennel and keep pets whose owners are away from them for a few days. Before starting this business, you must go through a few safety measures with adequate knowledge about different animals and their behavior. Investment is low to medium, and you get the good returns you can expect.
Tailoring & ClothingIf you have stitching skills, you can start your own boutique with a sewing machine. It’s low investment business; you can start from your home and ensure you are good at cutting and stitching following the measurement your customers have given you.
Baby Care Center ConclusionIt’s unpredictable which business runs and which does not cause success. It will depend on your involvement with the venture you start, and how effectively you can interact with people and earn the credibility they want to take your service or product. However, the above-noted business has a promising future if you can run it with your skills. If you have other skills and believe you can run better, you can try and get success.
The Real Center Of The Earth
Hollywood, in its infinite desire to generate easy profits, has decided to do yet another remake of the Jules Verne classic Journey to the Center of the Earth — this time in 3-D!. As we can see from the trailer, this movie is going to be a special effects extravaganza. Now, while we all know that the entire idea of traveling to the center of the Earth is pure fantasy, and any “science” represented in the movie is not to be taken seriously, we have so much scientific information about the state of the Earth’s interior — much more than Jules Verne ever could know — that somehow the premise just falls flat.
(Probably, back in the more innocent year of 1959, when the original film version made its debut, it didn’t seem so egregious.)
If you don’t care, and simply want to escape into the fantastical special effects, that’s fine, but for some it might be more fun to use the film trailer to highlight a few interesting principles of physics and geology that preclude a pleasant stroll down into the Earth’s deep interior (and saving us eight-and-a-half dollars [a movie’s $11.50 here in New York. -ed.] in the process).
Here are a few enjoyable discussion points:
1) Much of what we know about the structure inside our planet actually comes from seismic waves generated by earthquakes that travel right through the interior. Because we know the physics of these propagating waves, we can make very accurate estimations of the types and states of the material through which they travel. (This type of imaging is similar in concept to the CAT scans that we use to see inside the body).
2) Based on seismic data, we know that you don’t have to go too far before it gets really hot, and the pressure gets really high. At the Earth’s center the pressure is millions of atmospheres, with a temperature around 5000K. This would be an unpleasant environment for a family vacation, although not as bad as Buffalo.
3) The extreme pressure is simply a result of the massive weight of overlying rock. This pressure is so great that the idea of a system of caverns existing down there could only be possible if the gas pressure inside the cavern counterbalanced the surrounding rock pressure. While the most likely scenario is that there are no empty spaces down there, if there were, in addition to the protagonists being crushed into jelly, it would be pretty slow going through an atmosphere that thick. Maybe the body acclimates on the way down, like mountain climbers do as they slowly progress to the summit of Everest!
5) Finally, it’s always amusing to consider what happens to the force of gravity as one descends to the center of the planet. It gets weaker. In fact, at the very center of the Earth the net force of gravity acting on an object would be exactly zero because there is equal mass “above” the object in every direction. The total force cancels out. Anyone standing in a hole at the Earth’s center would be completely weightless and floating around like an astronaut on Apollo 13. Which is the subject of a much better movie.
Adam Weiner is the author of Don’t Try This at Home! The Physics of Hollywood Movies.
What Are The Chances Of Laptop Catching On A Fire?
Are you scared of your laptop catching on Fire? This article is not meant to scare you but, there are slight chances of your laptop catching on Fire if used recklessly.
But, like every electrical equipment, there is always risk associated with electrical Fire.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the working module has shifted to working from home, which has increased your laptop workload.
So, you must maintain caution while using a laptop.
The chances of a laptop catching on Fire are low, but not none. A laptop can catch on Fire due to damaged fans, malfunctioning laptop batteries, overheating, prolonged charging, etc. However, simple maintenance and safety practices can greatly reduce computer Fire hazards.
So, what causes the laptop to catch Fire? What can be done in case of such incidents?
This article has got you covered. Read on to discover the causes and ways to prevent the laptop from catching Fire.
After all, some simple measures can prevent serious casualties and the destruction of property.
Possible Causes for Laptops Catching on FireAn electrical Fire caused by a laptop can be extremely dangerous. It can lead to serious injuries or casualties.
There have been instances of laptop Fire, causing the entire House to burn down. Here are some of the main reasons for laptop Fire so that you can prevent them.
1. Ineffective Working of FansDamaged or malfunctioning fans are one of the main reasons for laptop overheating, as it causes the laptop components to heat up.
Another reason for laptops causing overheating and eventually laptop Fire is manual changing of the laptop settings.
To have quiet work time, users change their laptop settings to reduce the fan speed, resulting in overheated laptops.
Also, while watching movies, the power management profile for playing DVD movies can reduce fan noise, which causes the laptop to overheat.
If you have problems with the laptop overheating even when the fans are running, you need to reset these settings to lower the risk of overheating.
Laptop fans need the vents open to work properly. If your desk is cluttered or the laptop’s vents are blocked by anything, the fans cannot circulate cool air to keep the laptop cool.
In addition, dust can accumulate in vents and the fan over time, blocking the fan from operating properly or circulating air.
2. Overheating of LaptopWhen the lithium-ion cells reach a temperature of 302°F, they become thermally unstable and release flaming gases.
Many of us habitually leave laptops on a cushion or pillow. But unfortunately, this is a very high-risk fire hazard.
Placement on soft unstable surfaces also blocks air inflow toward the laptop fan or vent. The blockage can also overheat the laptops.
Thermal paste transfers heat from the CPU and GPU to the heat sink, cooling the laptop.
Unfortunately, thermal paste deteriorates and becomes useless with time. Most thermal paste lasts four-year before it starts to lose its effectiveness.
The degradation causes the CPU and GPU to accumulate heat, and the laptop becomes overheated.
In addition, dust can build up inside laptop vents over time. It can stop airflow if it is not cleaned from time to time.
All of the mentioned reasons would lead to overheated laptops, significantly raising the risk of catching Fire.
You can use a lap desk like LapGear Designer Lap Desk, which provides comfort to your legs and a stable surface for your laptop.
Signs of Laptop Overheating
Unlike many Personal Computers, the components of a laptop are close together, leaving little room for air to circulate.
Since laptops are prone to overheating, keeping an eye out for indicators of thermal stress and preventing the fans from becoming clogged protects your system from irreversible harm.
Here are some signs of overheating so that you can prevent the laptop from burning down your room.
The fan is always on and makes loud buzzing noises.
The system crashes or displays a blue screen of death (BSOD).
The laptop shuts down unexpectedly on its own.
The laptop has trouble doing simple things like starting a new web browser.
Lines emerge on your laptop screen.
Unintended Error notifications.
Heated laptop’s bottom components, such as the fan, RAM, CPU, and battery.
Stop Laptops from OverheatingYou can save laptops from overheating if you are cautious about a few things like those mentioned below.
Check the laptop vents for dust accumulation and the fans from time to time.
You can use Compressed Air 3.0- Multi-Use Electric Air Duster to blow out the dust in your laptop fans.
If you do not want to use compressed air for dusting your Laptop then read on to find out other alternative ways to clean your Laptops without compressed air.
Use your laptop on firm, flat surfaces like a table or the floor at all times.
Never close the laptop’s air vents.
Use a lap desk to elevate your laptop, so the airflow from beneath is not obstructed.
Lower fan speed can cause your laptop to overheat quickly. Use SpeedFan for Windows to control the fan speed.
Read more to learn about amazing Laptop stand benefits.
3. Malfunctioning of Laptop BatteriesMalfunctioning of Laptop batteries can cause extreme overheating. Overheating can lead to increased chances of Fire.
Most laptops use Lithium-ion batteries for operation. However, these batteries are susceptible and can cause overheating problems when over or undercharged.
You must charge the battery with maximum voltage to store more energy. However, excessive voltage can harm Lithium-ion batteries and damage them permanently.
Caution should be maintained even while discharging the battery as frequent discharges at low voltage can lead to loss of its capacity.
For instance, HP had received eight complaints of batteries overheating, melting, or charring in 2023, as per the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In addition, CPSC reported 300 Lithium-ion batteries overheating and catching Fire between 2003 and 2005 in the United States.
It appears that a dormant laptop in sleep mode poses a lower risk of Fire than one in use. However, the battery is most likely to overheat if there is a faulty laptop battery.
The laptop batteries can have built-up gas and heat over time due to decay or physical damage to the battery components.
If you leave a swollen lithium-ion battery in your laptop, it can be extremely dangerous. It may be ruptured, allowing dangerous gases to escape.
The gases can cause the battery to explode and catch Fire.
4. Prolonged ChargingComputers are built to be used while charging and automatically shut down if the system overheats.
Meanwhile, laptops are not built for this purpose as they have extra battery life. In addition, overheating would damage the components and the fan.
When the fan is damaged, the laptop can overheat, causing an increased Fire risk.
While there is a low Fire risk due to prolonged charging of laptops, the risk is increased if left on charge for long durations over flammable materials like mattresses, cushions, or couches.
The heat may get trapped inside the laptop due to prolonged charging and damaging components like the CPU.
There has been a reported incident in Llanfawr Close, Holyhead, where leaving the laptop on charge overnight on a couch burned down the entire couch.
However, there are meager chances of an unplugged Laptop catching on Fire.
Therefore, be on the safe side and unplug your laptop while sleeping. If necessary, charge the laptop over a hard surface like a desk with unblocked airways.
5. Thermal Runaway of Laptop BatteriesAccording to research, laptop batteries can explode or release a jet flame during thermal runaway. The explosion can also cause the laptop to catch Fire.
When the Lithium-ion battery is exposed to high heat or short circuit, exothermic reactions can occur, which triggers a self-increasing temperature loop called thermal runaway which can cause batteries to explode.
The lithium-ion battery’s thermal runaway sets off an uncontrolled chain reaction. Within milliseconds, the temperature increases rapidly, releasing the energy held in the battery.
As a result, temperatures of roughly 400°C are generated, the battery becomes gaseous, and a Fire breaks out that is difficult to put out.
Thermal runaway is a concern that begins at 60°C and gets exceedingly dangerous at 100°C.
If the laptop has a defect, it causes the battery to generate more heat than it can tolerate; this might result in an explosion.
In addition, excessive storage temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, overcharging, manufacturer faults, and product manipulation can harm lithium-ion batteries.
An explosion might occur when a battery is overheated to the point that it ruptures rather than burns.
The risk of the battery exploding increases if it is exposed to a spark. The cobalt oxide in the battery might be to blame for most of the thermal runaway.
6. Burning of CablesTo charge and work, You must plug laptops and desktop computers into a power outlet.
Unfortunately, these power lines can overheat for many reasons, including wear and tear.
In addition, cords may catch Fire if used in this scenario for an extended time.
Overheating in laptops is mostly caused by production flaws, yet the products are rarely recalled for faulty cables.
You might use extension cables when working in an office or sharing a charging port. This is because overlading the extension cables might lead to a Fire.
Normally, extension cables can withstand a load of around 3,500 watts.
Related Article: Can you plug power strip into surge protector?
7. External Environment Might cause Laptops to OverheatThe external environment can also cause laptop Fire like high temperatures. Therefore, you should use laptops at temperatures between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using a laptop or charging it under blankets or in a room with no ventilation interferes with the laptop’s air circulation through vents and overheats it.
Read more: Can you use laptop in the sun?
Are Laptop Battery Chargers a Fire Hazard?Laptop chargers are not a Fire hazard if they are original and have no defects.
However, you might be tempted to use a cheap charger for temporary purposes, which might charge your laptop but poses a great Fire hazard.
They might not explode or burst into flames but can produce electrical sparks.
A tiny spark would be enough to burn down your home if any flammable items are near it when charging.
For instance, a laptop left charging on the bed burnt down the whole room due to a spark produced by a laptop charger in King’s Heath.
Such sparks occur because the fuse fitted into the charger plug might be counterfeit.
In original chargers, Silica sand is meant to fill fuses. However, duplicate chargers have empty fuses, which increases Fire risk.
Using a faulty laptop battery or charger can also cause extreme overheating.
Wrong types of chargers charge the laptop at different voltages than required, which causes the laptop to explode.
Check the laptop specification for voltage and current requirements and match the charger to the specifications before charging.
Another Fire risk caused by chargers is physical damage to the chargers. Signs of damaged chargers are burnt marks around the on, managed charge pin, or torn wires.
The damaged charger might charge your laptop just fine, but a small spark can cause serious Fire hazards, so you should replace the harder if such signs are present.
Can a Dead Laptop Battery Explode?You wouldn’t think that a dead laptop battery can cause any harm, but the reality is different. Even dead laptop batteries can explode if mishandled.
It means charging, using, dropping, or keeping the battery in a heated area.
The risk is significantly high if the laptop battery is swollen. Laptop batteries can swell over time due to heat and gas accumulation.
You should be careful not to rupture the battery as it can release harmful gases that are toxic to breathe.
How Hot is too Hot for Laptops?Laptops operate at a normal temperature of 30-65 °C for general usage. However, the maximum tolerable limit varies according to the processors used.
For instance, Intel Core i7 operates at an average temperature of 50-65 °C, while AMD Athlon has 85-95 °C.
Refer to the table below for temperature ranges and their effects on laptops.
TemperatureStateResult
30-65 °CNormal temperature in General UsageNormal Operation
70°CSlightly high but tolerable temperature in general usage.Normal Operation
70-90°CNormal temperature while gaming and heavy usage.Normal Operation
GPU starts throttling.
Over tolerance LimitStarts thermal runaway
220 – 687 °CExtremely overheatedExothermic reaction
Possibility of laptop explosion.
What to do if your Laptop Catches Fire?Even if we know all the causes of an electrical Fire starting from the laptop, there might still be incidents, and it’s better to be prepared to prevent catastrophes.
If your laptop happens to catch on Fire, stay calm and follow these steps to be safe.
To begin, unplug the laptop as it stops the electricity from causing more sparks.
Move flammable items like papers, blankets, and cushions away from Fire.
If the Fire is still small, the next measure would be to move the device outside. Moving outside allows the fumes to escape and protects the laptop from catching Fire and destroying the House or belongings.
Pour baking soda over the flames after unplugging the power source. Baking soda includes sodium bicarbonate, a chemical component typically found in Class C Fire extinguishers.
A Fire blanket is an excellent alternative if you don’t have a Fire extinguisher or baking soda.
If your electricity is still on, never use water to put out any size of an electrical fire.
Call 911 and then get everyone out of the House, including pets.
How to Prevent Laptops from Catching a Fire?Even if you know all the measures, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Use necessary measures for placing laptop, using it and the necessary equipment to prevent Fire. Then, follow the after-mentioned tips for safety.
Use an air conditioner in the room where you keep your laptop.
You should not store objects on top of your laptop.
Clean your laptop once a year.
If your fan is operating while the laptop overheats, pause for a moment to allow the laptop to cool down.
You should not place laptops inside the bag while it is on.
When the laptop is fully charged, disconnect it from the power source.
Use only chargers that are compatible with your device.
Instead of using duplicate adaptors, utilize power boards with overload protection while charging several devices simultaneously.
Purchase a laptop chilling pad or cooler.
Check the laptop’s air vents now and again to see if any dust or dirt restricts the airflow.
If the power cord is broken, you should replace your lithium-ion batteries after two to three years of use. The aged components continue to degrade and may begin to produce more thermal runaways.
Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries in extreme heat or cold.
You should protect batteries from harm like crushing, rupturing or submerging in water.
When traveling, avoid storing all of your lithium-ion battery-containing devices together, particularly on a flight.
Do not place your laptop closer to other equipment like printers. Any electrical type of equipment can cause electrical fire due to malfunctioning cables, components, etc.
Some Reported News of Laptop Catching FireLaptop Fire have occurred in various ways over the years.
A laptop caused a house Fire in Wrightsville, York County, while the plastic cabinet was left in charge.
Fortunately, there were no casualties, but such incidents could lead to injuries and property loss. For detailed news, read this news article.
Herald Sun reports the incident of a young family that lost everything they had in March 2023, when their overheating laptop burned down their home in Melbourne’s east.
UCLA reports an incident of a Dell laptop in the Family’s living room, bursting into flames following an explosion.
The Dell laptop’s lithium-ion battery has reportedly caused the Fire. Dell recalled 4.1 million laptop batteries in 2006 due to a Fire hazard.
According to Austin Fire Department, A Fire broke out at an apartment in northwest Austin on 4th November 2023 in the morning, displacing one individual.
The source of the incident, according to investigators, was a laptop that was charging and caught Fire.
A sprinkler put out the Fire, but not before it had caused $8,000 in damage. For full news coverage, read this news article.
Albert and Logan News reported an incident of a House Fire in 2023. The tenants of a Logan residence believed their laptop may have started the Fire.
Following a home Fire in Orpington on 1st November 2023, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has warned about lithium-ion batteries hazards.
The Fire destroyed much of the first floor and a portion of the semi-detached House’s exterior.
Final VerdictAside from manufacturing errors, the causes of laptop Fire are preventable through simple steps like using over a hard surface, unplugging when charged, using original chargers, etc.
Even when we maintain all the precautions, some errors will likely occur. In such situations, the use of Fire control methods can prevent the Fire from escalating.
We use laptops for work, personal use, study, gaming, etc., for so many purposes that using a laptop is almost a part of our daily routine.
The risk of Fire associated with laptops is low. However, the harm it could cause is tremendous.
Laptops do not catch Fire on their own; it is generally due to malfunctions like damaged batteries and fans or human errors like charging over flammable items and overcharging.
Overall, you do not have to fear your laptop bursting into flames but follow safety precautions to prevent the catastrophe.
Read more: Is it possible for desk lamp to catch on Fire?
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