We must not use markdown formatting (like **, *, #). But the final line includes hashtags; that's okay as plain text. The table must be simple with plain dashes. Probably something like:

Feature | DeFi Lending | Bank Loans
--- | --- | ---
... but that uses pipes and dashes. The requirement: "simple table format with plain dashes (no special characters)". "Plain dashes" likely means using dashes to separate columns, not using markdown table syntax? But they said "no special characters". Pipes are special characters? Might be considered special. Safer to use spaces and dashes.

Maybe something like:

Feature - DeFi Lending - Bank Loans
Collateral - Overcollateralized - Credit score based
Speed - Minutes - Days to weeks
Interest - Variable, market - Fixed or variable
Access - Permissionless - KYC required
Risk - Smart contract risk - Counterparty risk

But need a table format with plain dashes. Could be:

Feature - DeFi Lending - Bank Loans
Collateral - Overcollateralized - Credit score based
Speed - Minutes - Days to weeks
Interest - Variable market - Fixed or variable
Access - Permissionless - KYC required
Risk - Smart contract risk - Counterparty risk

That uses dashes as separators. That's plain dashes. No pipes. That should satisfy.

Word count: 180-220 words. Let's count roughly. We'll need to write a paragraph intro, then table, then maybe a brief conclusion, then the required ending line and hashtags.

We must not use markdown, so no bold, italics. Just plain text.

Let's draft ~