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How to DeFi: Beginner
"This book details the new economies created by a generation of bankless pioneers. It's the best introduction you could ask for."
- Mariano Conti, Head of Smart Contracts at Maker Foundation
"If I didn't know anything about DeFi and needed to learn from scratch, this book is where I'd start."
- Felix Feng, CEO of TokenSets
“This book makes it easy for beginners to get started with DeFi.”
- Hugh Karp, CEO of Nexus Mutual
How to Beginner, Second Edition, is the 2021 updated version of How to DeFi (March 2020). DeFi is an ecosystem of decentralized applications that provide financial services built on top of distributed networks with no governing authority. By April 2021, DeFi applications have locked up over $86 billion worth of cryptocurrencies in smart contracts. DeFi is expected to grow further in the coming years and is a key component in fulfilling Ethereum’s lofty vision and ambition. You will learn about the various elements of DeFi such as decentralized stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, decentralized lending, decentralized derivatives, decentralized insurance and more. DeFi has been immensely popular throughout 2019 to 2021 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Use this book to stay ahead of the curve and learn how you can utilize various DeFi applications to better understand the changes that will disrupt the traditional financial sector. In this book, you will With simple, yet concise explanations and guides, it has never been easier for you to understand and get started with the various DeFi applications.
- Mariano Conti, Head of Smart Contracts at Maker Foundation
"If I didn't know anything about DeFi and needed to learn from scratch, this book is where I'd start."
- Felix Feng, CEO of TokenSets
“This book makes it easy for beginners to get started with DeFi.”
- Hugh Karp, CEO of Nexus Mutual
How to Beginner, Second Edition, is the 2021 updated version of How to DeFi (March 2020). DeFi is an ecosystem of decentralized applications that provide financial services built on top of distributed networks with no governing authority. By April 2021, DeFi applications have locked up over $86 billion worth of cryptocurrencies in smart contracts. DeFi is expected to grow further in the coming years and is a key component in fulfilling Ethereum’s lofty vision and ambition. You will learn about the various elements of DeFi such as decentralized stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, decentralized lending, decentralized derivatives, decentralized insurance and more. DeFi has been immensely popular throughout 2019 to 2021 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Use this book to stay ahead of the curve and learn how you can utilize various DeFi applications to better understand the changes that will disrupt the traditional financial sector. In this book, you will With simple, yet concise explanations and guides, it has never been easier for you to understand and get started with the various DeFi applications.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
101 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 5, 2025
A massive revolution is unfolding silently, yet the masses remain largely unaware. As state censorship increases and pushes us toward an Orwellian regime and the concept of a one-world government, resistance becomes inevitable. Centralized systems, including the agglomeration of power by central banks and the Federal Reserve, continue to show massive disrespect for individual privacy. Indiscriminate money printing has led to inflation and rising prices that disproportionately affect the general public—yet most remain oblivious to these realities.
Enter DeFi: the decentralized financial system that stands as a beacon of hope, a people-powered resistance against the shadowy overreach of centralized authorities. Built by the people, consisting of the people, and for the people, DeFi represents the promise of a fairer, more transparent financial future.
Given this context, understanding DeFi becomes not just important but essential. This book does an excellent job of introducing the basics, making it accessible to those new to the concept. It’s fascinating to see how DeFi encompasses every aspect of traditional finance—banking, storing value, verifying transactions, lending, borrowing, insurance, and even governance—without the need for intermediaries.
That said, security remains a critical challenge. In the decentralized world, the responsibility for safeguarding assets rests solely on individuals, and compromises can be devastating. However, with rapid innovation in the space, solutions to these challenges are already on the horizon.
Overall, DeFi represents the future, and this book is a great starting point for anyone curious about the crypto space. It’s a must-read for beginners and those looking to understand how decentralized systems are reshaping the financial landscape.
Enter DeFi: the decentralized financial system that stands as a beacon of hope, a people-powered resistance against the shadowy overreach of centralized authorities. Built by the people, consisting of the people, and for the people, DeFi represents the promise of a fairer, more transparent financial future.
Given this context, understanding DeFi becomes not just important but essential. This book does an excellent job of introducing the basics, making it accessible to those new to the concept. It’s fascinating to see how DeFi encompasses every aspect of traditional finance—banking, storing value, verifying transactions, lending, borrowing, insurance, and even governance—without the need for intermediaries.
That said, security remains a critical challenge. In the decentralized world, the responsibility for safeguarding assets rests solely on individuals, and compromises can be devastating. However, with rapid innovation in the space, solutions to these challenges are already on the horizon.
Overall, DeFi represents the future, and this book is a great starting point for anyone curious about the crypto space. It’s a must-read for beginners and those looking to understand how decentralized systems are reshaping the financial landscape.
October 28, 2021
A beginner’s field guide to the world of decentralised finance (DeFi). The book manages to convey the key technological capabilities in a very approachable manner. You are not getting a true deep dive into DeFi here, but that was to be expected since this is the “beginner” book and there is also an “advanced” follow up book available.
One thing annoyed me quite heavily: At multiple segments, the lack of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies is touted as a positive thing, since speeds up the process. Quote: “as long as you can provide collateral, you can take out a loan in DeFi.” The authors thereby completely ignore that it might be good to have measures in place from a societal perspective that aim at minimizing money laundering. Furthermore, having no KYC/AML also means that DeFi is likely going to land in the crosshairs of international regulators which might go as far as prohibiting some DeFi applications (e.g. automated borrowing/lending, lotteries).
3 stars (I liked it) is what I give this book today. However, DeFi is an extremely rapidly evolving field. This second edition book is probably only worth 2 stars in 2023, and 1 star in 2025. Before you purchase it in the future, it is important to check whether they have diligently updated big sections of the book to keep it relevant.
One thing annoyed me quite heavily: At multiple segments, the lack of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies is touted as a positive thing, since speeds up the process. Quote: “as long as you can provide collateral, you can take out a loan in DeFi.” The authors thereby completely ignore that it might be good to have measures in place from a societal perspective that aim at minimizing money laundering. Furthermore, having no KYC/AML also means that DeFi is likely going to land in the crosshairs of international regulators which might go as far as prohibiting some DeFi applications (e.g. automated borrowing/lending, lotteries).
3 stars (I liked it) is what I give this book today. However, DeFi is an extremely rapidly evolving field. This second edition book is probably only worth 2 stars in 2023, and 1 star in 2025. Before you purchase it in the future, it is important to check whether they have diligently updated big sections of the book to keep it relevant.
May 21, 2022
A superbly-written and articulate overview of Decentralised Finance
A fantastic read by CoinGecko. The cornerstone of the text is the degree of coverage over various DeFi Protocols, spanning Stablecoins to Insurance and Fund Management. All in all an extremely-enjoyable introduction to the fundamental notions of Decentralised Finance.
A fantastic read by CoinGecko. The cornerstone of the text is the degree of coverage over various DeFi Protocols, spanning Stablecoins to Insurance and Fund Management. All in all an extremely-enjoyable introduction to the fundamental notions of Decentralised Finance.
June 25, 2022
This book gives an excellent and less daunting introduction into the realm of decentralised finance. The concepts, benefits, risks and actions one can take to mitigate those risks are explained in plain language that anyone can understand.
A great guide for anyone making their first steps into the new frontier of finance.
A great guide for anyone making their first steps into the new frontier of finance.
December 17, 2024
Great insights
Must-read book for the beginners. Great and simplified explanations come with extended to-read links for every chapter. Great book, now it's time for the second book, cheers 🙌🏽
Must-read book for the beginners. Great and simplified explanations come with extended to-read links for every chapter. Great book, now it's time for the second book, cheers 🙌🏽
July 30, 2021
This book will give you an overview on Decentralized Finance and will guide you to the Crypto world.
December 28, 2021
Good non-technical intro to DeFi
The book is OK for newbies to get a flavor of what DeFi can offer and why it matters. The resources presented are also good.
The book is OK for newbies to get a flavor of what DeFi can offer and why it matters. The resources presented are also good.
February 28, 2022
best DeFi intuition book
The Author explains DeFi related topics in very intuitive ways. And With references and sources backing for each chapter. Great one.
The Author explains DeFi related topics in very intuitive ways. And With references and sources backing for each chapter. Great one.
May 28, 2025
Great overview for beginners. I consider myself a beginner, but felt this books was too basic for me. I would have found the examples helpful if I had read it earlier.
January 18, 2025
对整个去中心化金融有了一个初步的轮廓了解，但具体操作还需要实践。
April 13, 2022
Read only if you are interested in learning about and using DeFi applications. The book is an excellent educational guide showing and explaining many DeFi applications available. In my case, I really liked the book/guide, and I gave it a 4 star rating, because it is definitely a great guide for beginners. I am already using some of the DeFi apps thanks to this piece, and already started How to DeFi: Advanced. Finally, if you decide to read it, look at the edition, DeFi is evolving fast and Coin Gecko (author) updates the books frequently.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews