Comprehensive guide to Decentralized Finance (DeFi): an open, blockchain-based alternative to banks using smart contracts, dApps, and cryptocurrencies for secure, transparent, censorship-resistant services. Explains components, use cases (lending/borrowing, DEXs, stablecoins, identity), benefits (access, security, transparency, interoperability), challenges (regulation, scalability, UX), and a peer-to-peer lending platform example.
