#DeFiGetsGraded Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a blockchain-based financial system that operates without traditional intermediaries like banks or brokers. Built mainly on smart contract platforms such as Ethereum, DeFi allows users to lend, borrow, trade, earn interest, and insure assets directly through decentralized applications (dApps). Transactions are transparent, immutable, and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. By removing middlemen, DeFi offers lower costs, faster settlement, and greater financial inclusion. However, it carries risks like smart contract vulnerabilities, volatile markets, and regulatory uncertainty. DeFi is transforming global finance by enabling open, permissionless, and programmable money services that operate 24/7 across borders.