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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Infrastructure by Duke University

4.8
stars
1,554 ratings

About the Course

Decentralized Finance: The Future of Finance is a set of four courses taught by Campbell R. Harvey (Professor of Finance at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research) that focus on decentralized finance (DeFi). In this first course, we begin by exploring the origins of DeFi and take a broad historical view from the earliest barter economies, such as the first peer-to-peer exchanges of bartering, to present day. The course also looks at historical examples of money having value even though it is not officially backed. We then focus on the key infrastructure components: blockchain, cryptocurrency, smart contracts, oracles, stablecoins and decentralized applications (or dApps). This includes discussion of the mechanics of the Ethereum and Bitcoin blockchains including cryptographic hashing. Next, we focus on the specific problems that DeFi is designed to solve: inefficiency (costly, slow, and insecure today), limited access (1.7 billion are unbanked), opacity (we need to trust regulators to monitor banks and the regulators have mixed records), centralized control (financial system is oligopolistic imposing higher fees than we would have in a competitive market) and lack of interoperability (it is difficult to move funds from one financial institution to another today). The course closes by exploring many of the myths about the crypto space....

Top reviews

XS

Feb 18, 2023

Good for beginners to understand some basic ideas and terminologies in cryptocurrency area, but there are some computer science mistakes in the videos, though they're minor.

JP

Jul 29, 2022

G​reat introduction for a novice or someone that already has crypto knowlegable. A bit intermeidate with finance concepts, I recommend having some introductory knowledge.

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101 - 125 of 354 Reviews for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Infrastructure

By Mara Z

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Sep 19, 2024

Jetzt endlich verstehe ich Blockchain!! Vielen Dank für die tolle Pädagogisch aufbereitete Erklärung!

By Deleted A

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Aug 5, 2022

Good introduction. Some concepts were tough for those with no background in the space, but that's ok.

By Li C

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Apr 14, 2022

This course is really helpful for my knowledge and understanding of DeFi, Blockchain, and Crypto.

By Bojan P

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Apr 16, 2022

Great intro course about DeFi.

Very interesting teacher, I like his entusiasm about the subject.

By Alexia L

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Sep 2, 2022

Great course for those looking into kickstarting their DeFi journey with qualitative content!

By Margy A

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Jan 17, 2022

If you want to become part of the evolution of this new technology this course is a MUST take.

By trusan a

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Jan 26, 2022

Thanks to this course, so much has happened, thank you very much to everyone who contributed.

By Chris S

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Jan 19, 2022

Excellent intro to the whole course. I am curious to learn more in depth in the next courses.

By Willy A

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Jan 18, 2022

Very complete view of what decentralized finances are, excited to continue learning about it.

By SI Q

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Nov 11, 2021

It refresh my view to the world. I hope I can be one of the attendee to create the new world.

By AJ K

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Oct 4, 2023

Excellent Course to learn new avenues of Finance. Effectively delivered and smartly managed.

By Michael D S

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Dec 29, 2021

Extremely well organized presentation. Written materials accompanying lectures very useful.

By Mateo S

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Oct 22, 2022

Gran profesor, explica todo de manera facil de entender y se nota su pasión por los temas

By Monika S

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Oct 20, 2022

I enjoyed all four course. Very clear explanation and a pleasure to listen to Cem Harvey.

By chaitanya j

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Feb 4, 2022

It was really engaging course. This course includes all the information related to DeFi.

By Stevan P

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May 13, 2022

Very insightful as an introductory to Decentralized Finance and its humble beginnings.

By Francesco M

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Nov 27, 2021

Amazing starting point to learn how many possibilities this sector has for the future.

By Tiago S d S

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Nov 24, 2021

Really great to understand the basic terms of DeFi. If you are new to it give it a try!

By Vilas M

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Sep 18, 2025

Excellent insights. The videos are slow paced to address all type of listeners. Thanks

By Sean S

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Dec 30, 2025

Really enjoyed this! Well taught and easy to follow, a great introduction. Thank you.

By Ana K

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Jan 9, 2026

Great course, though little bit outdated but still a wonderful course for beginners.

By Wong K P

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Mar 28, 2024

It is a very interesting course; it expands my knowledge and experience in finance.

By Ivan O

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Jan 24, 2022

Great way of explaining with a good overview of this innovation space that Defi is!

By Hendy A

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Jan 22, 2022

Thanks Prof Harvey, in this initial course, you made me understand what the DeFi is

By Preetish B

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Jan 9, 2022

It provided me a great introduction of cryptos. Many misconceptions are clarified.