Decentralised finance (DeFi) has made a huge splash worldwide, with its potential for traditional banking disruption. It is a rapidly growing financial technology that uses secured and distributed ledgers, based on blockchain and smart contracts, just like cryptocurrencies.
But how is it contributing towards disruption or financial services innovation? In the U.S., for instance, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and Federal Reserve have clearly outlined the regulations for centralised financial entities such as brokerages and banks that customers depend on accessing financial services and capital directly.
DeFi poses a challenge to this centralised financial setup through empowering people with peer-to-peer digital transfers/exchanges. It also contributes towards the elimination of fees charged by financial institutions and banks for the usage of specific services. Those holding their money in secure digital wallets can instantly transfer funds, while anyone with internet can make use of DeFi.
For understanding decentralised finance, one should first have an idea of what centralised finance is all about. Here are some core points worth noting in this regard:
Decentralised finance (DeFi) has huge potential for traditional banking disruption. Here are some points worth noting:
Another block is made with data on the earlier block within the same. The blocks are conjoined through data in every proceeding block, which gives it the blockchain moniker. Information in earlier blocks cannot be modified without any effect on the following ones. Hence, there is no way to change a blockchain.
Decentralised finance (DeFi) is being used widely in the financial sector, with the following being the major take-aways:
As can be seen, crypto-based decentralised finance has already reached an advanced stage in terms of its evolution. It is steadily taking care of all the necessary functions of a financial system as a result. DeFi could well be the next big thing in global finance, provided it can navigate security threats successfully.
What is decentralised finance (DeFi) and how does it differ from traditional finance?
Decentralised finance is where distributed and secured ledgers are used with blockchain technology like cryptocurrencies. It means peer-to-peer transfers without higher fees for transactions as charged by all the entities in a traditional transaction chain. It can enable anytime and anywhere transactions between unknown parties, with automatic conditions and smart contracts, eliminating intermediaries.
How does DeFi work and what are the key components of DeFi platforms?
The main components include specific hardware, software, stablecoins, and so on. The infrastructure is continually evolving, and the system works through an independent yet secured and highly traceable network on the blockchain. Transactions are recorded, stored, and are verifiable easily. At the same time, there are no intermediaries and resultant charges. Parties can directly engage in transactions with automatic setting of interest rates or other crucial parameters.
What are the potential advantages of DeFi over traditional finance?
DeFi is a transparent and open system as compared to the closed and centralised system followed by traditional financial institutions. Transactions are public and may be viewed by any individual. They are readily traceable as well. At the same time, there is no need for intermediaries and no constraints on the location or time. Fees and charges are also lower as a result.
What are the risks associated with DeFi and how can they be mitigated?
The major risks include financial mismanagement of platforms, issues pertaining to smart contracts, and bugs. There is of course, decentralised insurance that is steadily coming into play for covering these bugs in smart contracts along with other software malfunctions. Better regulatory and privacy mechanisms are necessary for keeping these security threats at bay.
