1/ ELI5 thread on Reflexer Labs’ $RAI 👇

TL;DR: Reflexer Labs has designed a governance-minimized version of Maker where, in the first iteration, $ETH is used as collateral to create $RAI -- a more stable version of $ETH.
2/ What problem is $RAI solving?

Maker & Compound recently introduced support for $USDC and $USDT -- decisions critiqued by some due to the counterparty risk that crypto dollars come with.

It's evident that trustless and stable collateral is needed in DeFi.

Enter $RAI.
3/ How does it work?

$RAI is a more stable version of $ETH and it’s maintained through algorithmic governance.

The protocol adjusts rates autonomously via a PID controller that monitors the deviation between $RAI ’s market vs. redemption price.
4/ PID controller explained:

- Proportional: adjust rates based on the size of the deviation

- Integral: adjust rates based on the time length of the deviation

- Derivative: adjust rates based on how fast the deviation is growing/shrinking
5/ PID controllers are already applied within traditional monetary policy:

Current central bank monetary policy rules are approximations of PID controllers.

Reflexer is applying a PID controller to build a trust-minimized collateral asset for DeFi.

https://www.imfs-frankfurt.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Events_2018/MMCI_Conference/Papers/09-Raymond_Hawkins-Monetary_Policy_and_PID_Control.pdf
6/ Why now?

DeFi aims to make finance cheaper, safer, and more accessible.

Oom change often requires regulatory arbitrage --> trustless collateral assets need to be available.

E.g. @AugurProject & @fluxprotocol could benefit from $RAI. https://twitter.com/hasufl/status/1261666060354441218
8/ How does Reflexer make money?

Similar to how MKR holders make money: interest paid on DAI.

Demand drivers for $RAI: trustless and stable collateral for synthetic asset protocols such as Maker, UMA, Synthetix, etc.

Disadvantage of $RAI: capital-inefficiency.
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