Open AccessDeFi: Decentralized Finance - An Introduction and Overview
Author(s) -
Patrick Schueffel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of innovation management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2183-0606
DOI - 10.24840/2183-0606_009.003_0001
Subject(s) - blockchain , popularity , financial services , intermediary , paradigm shift , financial intermediary , finance , computer science , business , computer security , political science , philosophy , epistemology , law
DeFi, short for decentralized finance, is a new paradigm that enjoys increasing popularity in the financial world. DeFi posits that financial services should not rely on centralized intermediaries but should be provided by users for users. This is done by deploying software components to a decentralized peer-to-peer system which is grounded on blockchain technology. This introductory text discusses the origins of DeFi and delineates DeFi characteristics from those of traditional finance. Several examples of DeFi applications are given, the disadvantages resulting from this paradigm are discussed, and an outlook is provided.