Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a blockchain-based financial system that leverages smart contracts to provide peer-to-peer financial services, eliminating the need for traditional banking intermediaries. It offers benefits such as lower fees, enhanced transparency, and improved accessibility, particularly benefiting underbanked individuals in emerging markets. Despite the potential for transformation, DeFi faces challenges including regulatory uncertainty, smart contract vulnerabilities, and the need for interoperability among various platforms.