Compound is like a big digital bank in the world of cryptocurrency, but it's run by its users instead of a central bank. It allows people to lend out their cryptocurrencies and earn interest on them, or borrow cryptocurrencies when they need them. Imagine putting your digital money to work, earning extra money while you sleep, or getting a loan without having to go through a traditional bank. Compound makes all this possible in a safe, transparent way on the blockchain.