DeFi and the Future of Finance is a set of four courses that focus on decentralized finance. The second course is called DeFi Primitives. It is recommended that you take the first course, DeFi Infrastructure, before this course. In this course, we talk about transaction mechanics and introduce both fungible and non-fungible tokens – or NFTs. The course explores the important issue of custody (holding private keys). The course then explores supply adjustment which includes the minting and burning of tokens. The mechanics of bonding curves are introduced. The course then explores the role of direct as well as indirect incentives in the DeFi system. We then analyze swaps or decentralized exchange. We begin by contrasting DEX with centralized exchange (e.g., Coinbase or Binance). The course details the mechanics of Automated Market Makers and provides a number of detailed examples. There is a discussion of impermanent loss as well as (legal) front-running. We end the course by exploring both collateralized and flash loans.
This course is part of the Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance Specialization
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About this Course
Course 1: DeFi Infrastructure. Knowledge of interest rate mechanics; basic financial concepts; familiarity with collateral; and money supply.
Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?
Try Coursera for BusinessWhat you will learn
Token design and NFTs
Mechanics of supply adjustment
Decentralized exchange
Skills you will gain
- Consensus mechanisms
- digital signature
- Address mechanics
- Flash loans
- Bonding curves
Course 1: DeFi Infrastructure. Knowledge of interest rate mechanics; basic financial concepts; familiarity with collateral; and money supply.
Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?
Try Coursera for BusinessOffered by
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Mechanics
Supply and Ownership
Loans and Swaps
Joining the World of DeFi
Reviews
- 5 stars89.08%
- 4 stars9.77%
- 3 stars0.57%
- 1 star0.57%
TOP REVIEWS FROM DECENTRALIZED FINANCE (DEFI) PRIMITIVES
Professor Harvey does a great job explaining the topic.
Course is very insightful. It broadens the scope of understanding the mechanisms involved from minute to complex transactions.
One of Great courses in DeFi, thanks for this great course
Great class giving us a very clear concise overview of the Defi space. I am currently wokring my own project called Fate Finance - which has some very unique protocols.
About the Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance Specialization

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