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.



Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Infrastructure
This course is part of Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance Specialization

Instructor: Cam Harvey
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What you'll learn
Articulate the history and origins of decentralized finance
Define the key components of decentralized finance's infrastructure
Explain which problems decentralized finance is designed to solve and how
Identify myths or common misconceptions about decentralized finance
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There are 4 modules in this course
This module provides a historical perspective of exchange beginning with early barter, specie currency (backed by, e.g., gold), fiat currency and electronic transfers. The module introduces some of the key problems that have arisen with the current system. It closes with the introduction to Satoshi Nakamoto’s famous 2008 paper which introduced cryptocurrency.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment
This module introduces the key foundations for DeFi, starting with the mechanics of blockchain including cryptographic hashing. The module then explores the innovation of smart contracting - a key ingredient for DeFi. There is also a discussion of the differences between the first cryptos and stablecoins.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
This module explores the key problems with today’s legacy financial system which include: inefficiency (costly, slow, and insecure transactions); limited access (many cannot access banks and many that have bank accounts find it difficult to get loans); opacity (it is unclear how healthy our commercial financial institutions are); centralized control (current system is dominated by oligopolies that push prices higher than competitive prices) and interoperability (difficulty in moving funds across different legacy financial institutions).
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
The final module explores various different myths including: all cryptocurrencies are anonymous; blockchains are routinely hacked; quantum computing will destroy all blockchain based currencies; and the crypto ecosystem is so small that it is unlikely to compete with legacy financial institutions.
What's included
2 videos1 assignment
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Reviewed on Nov 25, 2022
It is a very basic course about DeFi. If you are familiar leave it. But, if you are not familiar with the DeFi space, this course fits you the best.
Reviewed on Feb 12, 2022
This is a great intro class to DeFi. If you are in finanace, this is a must take class. The pofessor knows what he is talking about, the pace is perfect for me, and the content is rich.
Reviewed on Jan 27, 2022
Loved the way Professor Harvey explains the newly minted ideas in DeFi space. Excellent course.Indeed, the future is DeFi. Let the wealth (?) spread across the globe, evenly!
Recommended if you're interested in Business
Duke University
The State University of New York
Duke University
Duke University

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