Introduction: Blockchain, Decentralized Finance, and Entrepreneurship

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is an alternative financial system grounded in blockchain technology. Utilizing smart contracts, DeFi protocols emulate conventional financial services, with enhanced transparency, openness, and interoperability. While this emerging sector offers considerable prospects, it is not devoid of intrinsic hazards. This chapter elucidates the core functionalities of DeFi, contrasts it with established financial systems, and explores its prospective impact on the domains of finance and entrepreneurship. In conclusion, an overview of the chapters included in this collective volume is provided.