Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/decentralized-finance-opportunities-and-risk-duke
In the rapidly evolving world of finance, understanding the intricacies of decentralized finance (DeFi) is becoming increasingly essential. Coursera’s course, ‘DeFi Opportunities and Risks,’ is a crucial part of a comprehensive four-course series that delves into the world of DeFi. This course is designed for those who have completed the foundational courses: I. DeFi Infrastructure, II. DeFi Primitives, and III. DeFi Deep Dive.
The course begins with a critical analysis of the risks associated with DeFi, which is particularly important given its relatively short history. The first module focuses on Smart Contract Risk, where learners explore logic errors and economic exploits that can occur within smart contracts. A notable case study is the Yearn.finance exploit, which utilized a massive flash loan, providing real-world context to the theoretical concepts.
The second module dives into Governance, DNS, Oracle, DEX, and Custodial Risks. This section is particularly enlightening as it covers various vulnerabilities that can arise in decentralized systems, including governance attacks and oracle vulnerabilities. Understanding these risks is vital for anyone looking to engage with DeFi platforms.
Scaling Risk is another significant topic covered in the course. With Ethereum’s current capacity of only about 15 transactions per second compared to Visa’s 65,000, this module discusses potential solutions to the scaling problem, making it a must-watch for those interested in the future of blockchain technology.
Finally, the course addresses Regulatory and Environmental Risks. As DeFi continues to grow, it faces scrutiny from regulators, and this module explores the implications of KYC/AML regulations and the classification of DeFi tokens as securities. Additionally, it discusses the environmental impact of Proof of Work consensus mechanisms and the shift towards more sustainable Proof of Stake systems.
Overall, ‘DeFi Opportunities and Risks’ is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand the complexities of decentralized finance. It not only highlights the potential of DeFi but also emphasizes the importance of being aware of the associated risks. I highly recommend this course to finance professionals, developers, and anyone interested in the future of financial systems. Completing this course will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the DeFi landscape confidently and responsibly.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/decentralized-finance-opportunities-and-risk-duke