Immy Dorse 
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a new concept that is changing the financial landscape. It is a term that describes a new generation of financial applications that are built on top of blockchain technology. These applications are decentralized, meaning they do not rely on traditional financial intermediaries such as banks or other financial institutions. One of the most important benefits of DeFi is that it is empowering the unbanked, who have been excluded from traditional financial services for various reasons. In this article, we will explore how DeFi is empowering the unbanked.
What is DeFi?
Decentralized Finance is a term that describes a new generation of financial applications that are built on top of blockchain technology. These applications are decentralized, meaning they do not rely on traditional financial intermediaries such as banks or other financial institutions. DeFi applications operate on public blockchains such as Ethereum, which allows anyone to use them, regardless of their location or financial status.
The Unbanked
The unbanked are people who do not have access to traditional financial services. According to the World Bank, there are approximately 1.7 billion unbanked adults in the world. The reasons why people are unbanked vary, but they often include a lack of identification, the high cost of traditional financial services, and a lack of trust in traditional financial institutions.
How DeFi is Empowering the Unbanked
DeFi is empowering the unbanked in a number of ways. Here are some of the most important:
- Access to Financial Services
DeFi applications are accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This means that people who are unbanked can access financial services that were previously unavailable to them. For example, they can use DeFi applications to take out loans, make investments, or trade cryptocurrencies. This access to financial services can help people improve their financial situation and improve their overall quality of life.
- Lower Costs
One of the main reasons why people are unbanked is because traditional financial services are too expensive. DeFi applications are often much cheaper than traditional financial services. For example, many DeFi lending platforms do not charge any fees, and the interest rates are often much lower than those offered by traditional lenders.
- Decentralization
DeFi applications are decentralized, meaning they do not rely on traditional financial intermediaries. This means that people who are unbanked can use DeFi applications without having to go through traditional financial institutions. This can be particularly important for people who do not trust traditional financial institutions or who do not have access to them.
- Transparency
DeFi applications are transparent, meaning that all transactions are recorded on a public blockchain. This makes it much easier to track and monitor transactions. This can be particularly important for people who are unbanked and who may not have access to traditional financial services.
- Security
DeFi applications are often more secure than traditional financial services. Because they are built on blockchain technology, they are resistant to hacking and fraud. This can be particularly important for people who are unbanked and who may not have access to traditional financial services.
Examples of DeFi Applications that are Empowering the Unbanked
Here are some examples of DeFi applications that are empowering the unbanked:
- Aave
Aave is a decentralized lending platform that allows people to borrow and lend cryptocurrencies. Because it is decentralized, anyone can use it, regardless of their location or financial status.
- MakerDAO
MakerDAO is a decentralized stablecoin platform that allows people to create stablecoins that are pegged to the value of the US dollar. This can be particularly important for people who live in countries with volatile currencies.
- Uniswap
Uniswap is a decentralized exchange that allows people to trade cryptocurrencies without the need for a centralized exchange. This means that anyone can trade cryptocurrencies, regardless of their location or financial status.
- Chainlink
Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts to external data sources. This can be particularly important for people who are unbanked and who may not have access to traditional financial data sources.
Conclusion
DeFi is changing the financial landscape, and one of its most important benefits is that it is empowering the unbanked. By providing access to financial services, lowering costs, decentralizing financial applications, increasing transparency, and improving security, DeFi is helping to level the playing field and bring financial services to people who have been excluded from traditional financial services. As the DeFi ecosystem continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see even more innovation in this space, and more opportunities for the unbanked to improve their financial situation and their overall quality of life.
