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

4.8
stars
1,511 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

UM

Dec 13, 2021

The course largely follows the instructor's book albeit with an easier to follow introduction. As such, this first course is an overview and it gets us ready for the information to follow.

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 338 Reviews for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Infrastructure

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

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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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Nov 2, 2025

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

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.

By Ritika B

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Dec 26, 2021

Great course to understand the basics. Very simply and efficient way of explaining

By Ahmad A

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Jan 4, 2023

I love you Professor ... you made my life many many many Thanks ... God bless you

By Tammy T

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Aug 19, 2023

The instructor is a really energetic person and provides many insightful ideas.

By T. W G

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Aug 5, 2022

The instructure is tight, on point and has a solid take in his teaching style.

By Robert R

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Feb 6, 2022

Great course for anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of Defi. Thank you!

By Jeanne C

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Nov 24, 2021

This was a wonderful and easy to digest overview of DeFi. Thank you so much!

By Joe D

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Feb 5, 2022

Material was very logical and clearly presented. Great introduction to DeFi!

By Omer K

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Feb 17, 2023

Does a good job of explaining the basics of DeFi and Blockchain technology.

By Mark E

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May 4, 2022

Great inturduction course.

It clearly lays down all the basic tirms of DeFi