A price chart visually represents the current market situation. It helps users better understand any trading asset — including digital currencies. The chart shows various information about the asset, such as trading volume, historical changes, current rates, etc. Among these, changes in the price of the asset relative to fiat funds is among the most useful info, as it tells you how many euros or dollars you need to spend to buy the said crypto asset.

Maker (MKR) Price Chart

When we first started looking into MKR and its price trend, we couldn’t help but notice an intriguing parallel: 2014 was a year of significant world events. The famous Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-370 disappeared, filing headlines globally and remaining a mystery. On the other side of the planet, Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. We also remember the Ebola outbreak in West Africa (little did we know what 2020 and COVID-19 had in store!). 

But that year is also important for two other, much more positive reasons. The first is that CEX.IO celebrated its first anniversary in 2014 — a milestone whose importance may pale in comparison to those mentioned above, but a groundbreaking success nonetheless. The second reason is that 2014 also marked the creation of MakerDAO, a decentralized lending platform based on the Ethereum blockchain. 

Its utility token, Maker (MKR), is what we’re looking into today, so join us as we embark on a journey to meet the Maker (pun intended). Let’s begin.

What is Maker (MKR)?

Maker (MKR) is the utility and governance token of the Ethereum-based Maker Protocol (software platform) and MakerDAO (decentralized organization). This token enables users to issue and manage the DAI stablecoin. However, Maker may be challenging to understand if you’re new to the crypto world. If that’s the case, here’s a more detailed breakdown of what you should know.

When performing an MKR price analysis, note that the following components comprise the Maker Platform:

• MakerDAO
• Maker Protocol
• DAI
• MKR

MakerDAO

MakerDAO is both a decentralized autonomous organization and an open-source community project on the Ethereum blockchain. The project’s governance token, MKR, enables holders worldwide to administer the project. They use a scientific governance mechanism called DSChief that features governance polling and executive voting to regulate the Maker Protocol and mitigate Dai’s financial risks.

The number of MKR tokens staked in the voting contract by a voter determines the MKR voting weight. Therefore, a voter’s decision-making power increases the more MRK tokens are locked into the contract. As a group, MakerDAO is focused on improving the stability of the Bitcoin economy, which often influences the Maker token stock price.

Maker Protocol

Because it is developed on the Ethereum blockchain, the Maker Protocol enables users to generate their own currency (the DAI stablecoin). Beneath the surface, the Maker Protocol is regulated by MakerDAO, which uses MKR holders’ voting power to decide on essential parameters (collateral types/rates, stability fees, etc.).

This Protocol was among the earliest DeFi (decentralized finance) applications to gain widespread popularity and acceptance and is simultaneously one of the largest such applications on the Ethereum blockchain. However, and most importantly, the Maker Protocol uses a two-token system: DAI and MKR.

DAI

Dai is a collateral-backed and decentralized pegged cryptocurrency (also known as a stablecoin). In the crypto world, “pegged” refers to a cryptocurrency with a pre-determined exchange rate in relation to a traditional currency. According to the Maker community, a decentralized stablecoin is vital for any individual or business looking to benefit from digital currency.

MKR

Serving as a governance token, MKR has two purposes: the first is to keep DAI in check, and the second is to ensure the system running smoothly. Holders of this token make decisions for the Maker Protocol, supported by various external stakeholders and the greater public community.

Maker history

The Maker Protocol dates back to 2015, with the first MakerDAO whitepaper published in late 2017. Two organizations backing this Protocol are the Dai Foundation and the Maker Foundation. The Maker Foundation developed and launched the namesake Protocol thanks to close collaboration with several outside partners, and is today part of the worldwide Maker community.

On the other hand, the Dai Foundation is independent of the Maker Foundation and exists as a self-governing entity based in Denmark. The purpose of the Dai Foundation is to safeguard the Maker protocol’s intangible assets (copyrights, trademarks, and such). 

Who are the founders of Maker?

An entrepreneur from Sealand, Denmark, named Rune Christensen, spearheaded a developer group that created the Maker protocol in 2015. The team was later formalized into the Maker Foundation, a company headquartered in the Cayman Islands. 

Christensen previously worked at an international hiring firm named Try China. He attended the Copenhagen Business School, where he earned a master’s degree in international business, and the University of Copenhagen, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

How Maker works

This Protocol was developed by the Maker Foundation and community developers, as it is open-source. The Foundation transitioned control of the project to MakerDAO as it moved toward decentralization. As mentioned earlier, MakerDAO is a decentralized autonomous organization that enables MKR holders to vote and use governance to decide on protocol updates.

In other words, MKR holders use an on-chain, direct voting system to govern the MakerDAO ecosystem. Any token holder can use one of their MKR tokens to submit one vote, and anyone can propose upgrades to MakerDAO. 

Alongside governance rights, MKR ensures DAI stablecoin’s stability. Since DAI is a full-reserve stablecoin, it functions off of a cash reserve in various assets, including Ethereum’s native coin ether (ETH), to back its liabilities. Consequently, making a deposit into the MakerDAO means receiving DAI as a reward. Interests are charged on outstanding deposits, which are then passed along to MKR holders.

If the price of ETH or other cryptos held in the full-reserve system should crash, more MKR will be generated by the MakerDAO system. The purpose of generating more MKR is to maintain stability in the DAI stablecoin and offset the reserves. Therefore, it is vital to understand that the MKR token is not minable; instead, it is generated by the market’s demand (and supply) for DAI tokens — a critical feature to note when attempting to tackle Maker price prediction.

Current MKR price index

When looking to buy and sell cryptocurrency, note that crypto prices are inherently volatile. However, to make the most out of holding or owning crypto assets, conducting transactions like selling and buying in a well-timed manner is essential. 

Therefore, determining the most favorable time to perform these transactions requires keeping an eye on the market at all times. More specifically, one should also account for different indicators, such as the MKR historical price, a detailed price analysis, and more. This is where CEX.IO comes in - our platform is home to the latest crypto news, real-time market information, and price changes (like BTC to USD) for more than 120 crypto assets (including the Maker price over time).

CEX.IO is an online crypto services ecosystem, exchange, and an online resource and knowledge base for crypto enthusiasts worldwide. Our platform features many crypto assets, including some of the most famous and popular names like Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and more. 

Maker price history

Stemming from the promise of the elaborate Maker ecosystem, Maker (MKR) began trading at a favorable crypto price. Unlike the price of DAI, which is regulated by the removal and issuance of MKR, MKR’s price is volatile. Therefore, the value of Maker is subject to frequent trend swings and price corrections, which sometimes cause its price to rise or plummet by tens of percent within a short period. 

Consequently, this crypto asset reached an all-time high price of $6,292.31 on May 03, 2021. Conversely, MKR’s all-time low of $168.36 was recorded on March 16, 2020. Maker’s market cap is $755,431,616, with a max supply of 1,005,577 MKR.

Where to buy Maker

Due to its popularity, Maker is widely available throughout numerous reputable exchanges. However, there are several reasons why (like the ability to buy Bitcoin instantly) you’d be wise to choose CEX.IO as your default crypto resource and exchange:

• Broad array of services
• PCI DSS-compliant and regulated exchange
• Licensed to operate in numerous countries
• Longstanding trust and reputability
• A user-centric approach

As mentioned above, CEX.IO celebrated its one-year anniversary in 2014. In other words, it has been persevering through the challenges of a volatile digital currency market for nearly a decade. Consequently, more than five million customers have called our exchange and ecosystem home since 2013. Thanks to such a reputation, CEX.IO has become the quintessential resource for all things crypto, and the recipient of numerous industry peer and user accolades.

Users can trade, sell, and acquire more than 120 different cryptocurrencies at our Exchange (which is perfect if you’re looking to buy Binance Coin, buy Dogecoin, or buy Ethereum). Choices include some of the oldest and most reliable assets like Bitcoin (BTC), but also latecomers to the proverbial crypto party, like AAVE, Pax Gold (PAXG), and Maker (MKR).

The CEX.IO platform is PCI DSS-compliant, licensed to operate in numerous countries worldwide, and is a trusted provider of FinTech products. Consequently, because our platform puts users first and has a stellar track record of success, it is the ultimate choice for crypto transactions.

How to buy Maker

Just a few screen taps or cursor clicks are needed to acquire Maker (MKR) on CEX.IO. Our platform provides several straightforward options for buying this crypto asset, including:

• e-Wallets
• Bank transfers
• Debit cards
• Credit cards

How to buy MKR for USD with a debit card on CEX.IO

Should you choose to buy cryptocurrency with debit card, you’ll need to follow these steps to complete your transaction:

1. Log into your account on CEX.IO.
2. Go to the Buy/Sell page.
3. Scroll down the list of available cryptocurrencies and select MKR.
4. Choose one of the available Fill-Or-Kill (FOK) orders, or manually enter your preferred amount.
5. Click on Buy Now.
6. You should see the Next button if the information you’ve entered is in order.
7. Select the debit card you’ve previously linked to your CEX.IO account and follow the prompts to complete the transaction.
8. Once the transaction goes through, your newly acquired MKR coins should immediately appear on your account balance.

How to buy MKR for USD with a credit card on CEX.IO

If you prefer making use of your credit card for crypto transactions (such as those involving how to buy Binance USD), CEX.IO also enables users to use their VISA and MasterCard debit and credit cards. 

However, please note that you’ll need to link a card to your account before you can use it to acquire or sell crypto assets on our platform. Linking a card to your account requires providing its expiration date and number, after which it will be immediately available for instant fiat deposits and withdrawals.

After topping up your CEX.IO account, you can use your card to buy cryptocurrency, sell Bitcoin, exchange crypto, trade on spot markets, and instantly acquire crypto assets. 

For example, exchanging crypto on CEX.IO is effortless thanks to the CEX.IO Exchange app, which enables you to swap fiat or other digital currencies for MKR tokens. In doing so, instead of figuring out the trading aspects, just choose two currencies from the drop-down menu and click on Exchange Now. 

Spot market trading is just as straightforward and begins by visiting the Spot Trading. Once there, search for MKR pairs (such as MKR/USD). After you select your pair, acquiring MKR means you’ll need to place a market or limit order. 

However, if you’re unfamiliar with market/limit orders (or you just can’t be bothered to place them), you can hasten the process of acquiring MKR. Go to the Buy/Sell page, choose MKR from the list of available cryptocurrencies, enter your preferred amount, and click on Buy Now. The same process applies to any other crypto asset you’d like to trade and is perfect for those looking to buy Tether or buy Solana.

FAQ

What is Maker (MKR) used for?

Voting on managing the Protocol and DAI is the main utility of Maker tokens. Each MKR is equal to one vote when locked in a voting contract.

How are Maker tokens created?

There are two scenarios in which MRK tokens are destroyed or created, both of which are controlled by auctions. When the Maker system works as intended, it generates DAI by collecting fees from users who lock up cryptocurrencies.

Is Maker a DeFi?

Maker is a DeFi lending and borrowing protocol. Users lock up their crypto assets (such as Ethereum or Bitcoin) as collateral in a Maker Vault, minting DAI against them. These assets remain locked inside the vault until the users have repaid their DAI (which is an algorithmic stablecoin like UST).