1 Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, USA.
2 Independent Researcher, Senior Accountant, Elco Mutual Life and Annuity.
3 Global financial Crime Analyst, Bank of America, United Kingdom.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(03), 3075–3089
Received on 17 August 2024; revised on 24 September 2024; accepted on 26 September 2024
Blockchain technology and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) are revolutionizing traditional banking and financial systems by eliminating the need for intermediaries, reducing transaction costs, and fostering more inclusive financial services. Unlike centralized systems that rely on trusted third parties such as banks and payment processors, DeFi operates on decentralized networks powered by blockchain technology. This innovation enables peer-to-peer financial transactions, smart contracts, and automated protocols, allowing for secure and transparent exchanges without the need for intermediaries. The disruption caused by DeFi challenges the conventional financial system by providing users with greater control over their assets and access to a broad range of financial services, including lending, borrowing, trading, and asset management. Through blockchain’s inherent features such as immutability, cryptographic security, and transparency, DeFi systems ensure trust less transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and errors while enhancing privacy. This paper explores the transformative potential of blockchain and DeFi in reshaping the financial landscape, addressing key benefits such as financial inclusion, the democratization of wealth, and more efficient global financial markets. However, the rise of DeFi also brings challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, technological risks, and the need for robust security measures to prevent fraud and ensure user protection. As DeFi continues to evolve, its impact on the future of finance is profound, offering both opportunities and risks that must be carefully navigated.
Blockchain; Decentralized Finance (DeFi); Financial Inclusion; Peer-to-Peer Transactions; Smart Contracts; Traditional Banking Disruption
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Felix Adebayo Bakare, Jide Omojola and Augustine Chibuzor Iwuh. Blockchain and decentralized finance (DEFI): Disrupting traditional banking and financial systems. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 23(3), 3075-3089. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.3.2968