https://explain.eli5defi.info/

-MS9fs_ByWh-Lfk1SKp7.png

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a growing group of financial tools built on Ethereum. These tools are open for anyone to use; all you need is an Ethereum address and some Ether (ETH). These tools span a range of uses that let users trade crypto-tokens, take out a loan, cast a vote, and even sell art. Since these tools follow a set of standards, users can combine operations across different protocols. For example, you can build a chain of transactions where you borrow money, make a profitable trade, and repay the loan -- all instantaneously.

DeFi runs on Ethereum, which means that any computer that is part of the Ethereum Network is supporting DeFi. If you've ever heard of someone "mining" cryptocurrency, those are the computers we're talking about. Anyone is free to mine Ethereum on their computer, so the power of the network is in the hands of the public, not any one company or government. This makes it virtually impossible to turn off.

DeFi can quickly get technical, but that doesn't mean you need to have PhDs in Mathematics and Distributed Computing to see how powerful it all is. Learning about these tools can open doors to all sorts of new users with different backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences that can contribute in ways that others didn't see before. If you find this guide useful please share it!