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

4.8
stars
1,303 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

NA

Jan 13, 2022

I have fore-read about blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, yet, this course was an excellent way to structure and review my knowledge. I am sure to join the next course of this specialization!

TN

Apr 12, 2022

Great introduction into DeFi, the professor walks us through key definitions, a bit of history, potential applications and common misunderstandings about this space. Good launching pad to dive deeper

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51 - 75 of 298 Reviews for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Infrastructure

By Ricardo H

Mar 17, 2022

I am very please with this course. The professor is amazing! The concepts are revolutionary. I am very glad, I am able to take this course.

By Gustavo F

Mar 10, 2023

Excelente curso, pude incorporar y reafirmar conceptos sobre esta nueva tecnologia logrando un conocimiento mas profundo sobre DeFi y DLT.

By Praveen U

Apr 2, 2022

Good course. Kind of a refresher for people like who who know blockchain. However, the concepts are well articulated and the pace is good.

By hacobo b

Jan 30, 2022

THIS IS A GREAT COURSE, VERY WELL EXPLAINED, THE TEACHER DOES REALLY WELL DOING ANALOGES WHILE GOING TROUGH CONCEPTS, I RECOMMEND IT 100%

By Hitan C

Apr 6, 2023

Awesome introductory course, many topics delightfully treated, quite enjoyable course, informative and easy to get knowledge about DeFi.

By Adriana C

Feb 13, 2022

Excelente curso, puedes comprender las bases de la criptomonoeda y la diferencia entre Bircoin y o¿los smartcontracts, además del DeFi.

By Michael O

Jan 15, 2022

Very interesting, straightforward and instructive course. Only wish there would be a little more about protocols besides PoW and PoS.

By Adem

Aug 12, 2023

As an operator in the space, this is a great course to get yourself up to speed. Cannot wait to continue with the specialization.

By Craig K

Jan 10, 2023

The course was very insightful and useful. The way the instructor explains the material makes the technical stuff easy to digest.

By Ash T

Apr 4, 2022

The world is changing rapidly and a course like this should be taught by every college/university. Very relevant and informative!

By Caroline G

Mar 22, 2022

Very good introduction. It eases you progressively to get a grasp with the terms and how the system works for the next chapters.

By Tibor T

Apr 25, 2022

Very good course. Covering so many new concepts that I haven't been avare of at such details and with such interconnectivity.

By ফজলে র ( R

May 18, 2023

It's very helpful and understandable. Thanks for making this course so easy to understand for non computer science students.

By Talha K B

Apr 26, 2023

It has given me the path to understand what the world could be with DeFi with keeping in mind the major role of CeFi.

By Andrei C

Feb 1, 2023

Fantastic. Prof. Harvey's style of explanation is excellent.

Thoroughly enjoyed the course and the quizes.

Thank you.

By Nikita K

Oct 30, 2022

This course is higly recommended for those taking their first step into the world of crypto, blockchain and DeFi.

By Copy W

Jan 30, 2022

It's a very useful course. I think everyone will learn a lot in this course, thank you so much for the opportunity

By Nicola P

Mar 5, 2022

Good pacing, wonderful content and easy to understand! Although a little too basic but overall a great foundation

By Daniel B

Feb 17, 2022

Excelente Material. In clusive teniendo la barrera del idioma pude entender el lenguaje tecnico del instructor

By Andrew A

Jan 5, 2022

Loved this first of four courses in the series! The teacher is engaging and makes things simple to understand.

By miguel b

Apr 9, 2022

The course covers basics , but has the advantage of taking th whole system globally so better to understand

By Fernando M

Mar 25, 2022

Outstanding information and great communication by the professor. Looking forward to the rest of the course.

By Teo L F

May 27, 2022

It is very comprehensive and highly suitable for those who are new to DeFi and want to know more about it.

By Isaac G S C

Apr 28, 2023

It's a very good course about DeFi, the information is clear and the examples let you understand how works

By Fabrice R

Jul 10, 2022

This is a very good and simple to understand course that gives a basic knowledge of what DiFi is made of.