Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a rapidly growing field in fintech, having grown from $700 million to $100 billion over the past three years alone. But the lack of reliable information makes this area both risky and murky. In this practical book, experienced securities attorney Alexandra Damsker explains DeFi's role in both blockchain and finance. Ideal for developers looking to build decentralized applications (DApps), this book compares DeFi to traditional bank-led fintech and explains why DeFi is exploding in interest and popularity. You'll explore the growing array of DApps and platforms in various categories, including their benefits and drawbacks, and learn how DeFi tools work together from the perspective of both users and developers. This book is for anyone, whether from a business or technical background, who needs a grounding in the blockchain and DeFi space and wants to build compliantly and productively. It is also for anyone who wants to learn how to operate protocols or invest money in the DeFi space. Finally, it is for anyone who wants a great explanation of how things work in blockchain andor finance, without getting bogged down in acronyms and jargon.