DeFi has become a popular topic in the blockchain industry. In contrast to the decentralized money achieved through Bitcoin, DeFi seeks to decentralize the traditional financial system in general. The initiative's primary objective is to make traditional financial services available to everyone by establishing a permissionless financial services ecosystem based on blockchain infrastructure. The total volume in DeFi is currently $6.63 billion at the time of writing.

What Are the Benefits of DeFi over Traditional Finance?

With the rising popularity of new technologies such as Web 3.0, blockchain, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency, the notion of decentralized finance (DeFi) is gaining traction. DeFi alters the way we utilize financial instruments in profound ways.

While the conventional financial system is based on a centralized platform that government institutions and many intermediaries control, DeFi is based on a protocol powered by blockchain and operates on a decentralized infrastructure (mainly Ethereum).

As a result, programmers may create customizable, efficient, and secure financial systems that anybody with a computer and an internet connection can access.

Without a doubt, DeFi is the new frontier because it empowers millions of people who do not have access to traditional financial systems. More than 1.700 million people are unbanked globally to manage their finances and transact with anyone, thanks to decentralization, promoting equal opportunities and unprecedented economic growth.

1. Permissionless

The term 'decentralized' is the first and most crucial aspect that determines the identity of decentralized finance. The concept's definition primarily defines the benefits and drawbacks of decentralized finance. Decentralization is a fundamental element of blockchain, and it aids in lowering reliance on companies.

Furthermore, decentralized finance eliminates relying on institutions for monitoring, data storage, server space, and other difficulties. These objectives are met by blockchain networks, which ensure that specific transaction histories may be easily transmitted among all users.

The decentralisation strategy is highly beneficial to democratise banking and finance, and DeFi may provide everyone with easy and efficient access to financial services. Discussions of the benefits and drawbacks of DeFi would also reveal that the vast majority of DeFi solutions operate on Ethereum. Ethereum is the second-largest blockchain system, and its permissionless nature makes it highly decentralized.

It should also be readily available to everyone involved in creating and using DeFi apps. The permissionless characteristics of blockchain in DeFi applications may potentially benefit from blockchain interoperability. 

At the same time, it is essential to note that the permissionless blockchain capabilities are not exclusive to Ethereum. Because Ethereum is a popular network for constructing smart contracts, it is a safe bet for designing DeFi apps.

2. Immutability

The practical application of encryption in conjunction with consensus mechanisms such as proof-of-work has benefited blockchain in achieving absolute immutability. As a result of the benefits and drawbacks of decentralized finance, actual benefits of immutability in finance have been realised.

Because of the immutability of the blockchain network, it is practically impossible to edit any record. In addition to the benefits of decentralisation, immutability gives an acceptable level of security assurance. Surprisingly, the immutability capabilities of blockchain ensure the integrity of DeFi systems when carrying out financial transactions.

3. Transparency

While immutability is required for the DeFi landscape to give security assurance, transparency is also a significant addition among DeFi professionals. Decentralization, of course, implies more transparency, and the distributed ledger contains data on all blockchain network activity.

The blockchain's cryptographic principles also ensure that information is only documented once its legitimacy has been verified. The benefits and drawbacks of DeFi demonstrate how customers may benefit from DeFi applications' openness.

4. Applications for Savings

The benefits and drawbacks of decentralized finance also highlight the rising popularity of DeFi savings products. People might also use DeFi to manage their funds more effectively. Users might begin receiving interest on assets locked in lending protocols such as Compound. As a result, several DeFi savings programs have appeared in recent years.

Such programs allow users to tap into numerous loan protocols to increase their earning potential. At this point, it would be appropriate to mention 'yield farming.'

Yield farming has been a positive component of the DeFi ecosystem, particularly in demonstrating how users may shift their idle crypto assets across several loan protocols for higher yields.

5. Tokenization

Any explanation of the benefits and drawbacks of DeFi would be incomplete if the benefits of tokenization were not included. Tokenization is one of the significant concepts that later appeared in the blockchain sector, and Ethereum provides extensive smart contract capabilities, paving the way for the issuance of cryptocurrency tokens.

Crypto tokens functioned primarily as digital assets stored on a blockchain, with varying characteristics and applications. Utility tokens native to a specific dApp, real estate tokens, and security tokens are some basic forms of tokens.

Tokens can assist you with a variety of functions. Real estate tokens might assist you in achieving fractional ownership of tangible assets. On the other hand, security tokens might be used successfully as digital shares in specific applications. Most importantly, tokenization might increase exposure to other assets, both tangible and digital.

Difference Between Decentralized Finance & Centralized Finance

DECENTRALIZED FINANCE (DeFi)	CENTRALIZED FINANCE (CeFi)
Permissionless Network. Authorized persons can only carry out specific activities. DeFi is open-source, which means it promotes open collaboration. DeFi is immune to censorship since it is open-source. DeFi is less expensive.	Permissioned Network  There are no central authority figures. CeFi, on the other hand, isn't open source. CeFi has the capability of being censored.  CeFi is costly.