Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Primitives

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Primitives

This course is part of Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance Specialization

Instructor: Campbell R. Harvey

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

479 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

479 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Token design and NFTs
Mechanics of supply adjustment
Decentralized exchange

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The Future of Finance Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

DeFi and the Future of Finance is a set of four courses that focus on decentralized finance. The second course is called DeFi Primitives. It is recommended that you take the first course, DeFi Infrastructure, before this course. In this course, we talk about transaction mechanics and introduce both fungible and non-fungible tokens – or NFTs. The course explores the important issue of custody (holding private keys). The course then explores supply adjustment which includes the minting and burning of tokens. The mechanics of bonding curves are introduced. The course then explores the role of direct as well as indirect incentives in the DeFi system. We then analyze swaps or decentralized exchange. We begin by contrasting DEX with centralized exchange (e.g., Coinbase or Binance). The course details the mechanics of Automated Market Makers and provides a number of detailed examples. There is a discussion of impermanent loss as well as (legal) front-running. We end the course by exploring both collateralized and flash loans.

The first module explores some key primitives such as how Ethereum transactions occur including the differences between externally owned accounts and contract accounts. We then explore fungible and non-fungible (NFT) tokens and miner extractable value.

What's included

3 videos2 readings1 assignment

The second module focuses on supply adjustment (minting and burning), the atomic nature of transactions in Ethereum, as well as incentives. The concept of a keeper in the Ethereum ecosystem is introduced.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment

The third module introduces decentralized exchange and explores in considerable detail Automated Market Makers. The module also introduces the idea of collateralized loans as well as uncollateralized flash loans.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

The final module shows step-by-step how to set up a MetaMask wallet allowing the student to join the world of DeFi. The second part of the module conducts a deep dive into some of the key blockchain concepts such as digital signatures and consensus mechanisms (including Proof of Stake).

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 assignment

7 videosTotal 90 minutes

MetaMask Wallet15 minutes
Hashes and Keys8 minutes
Addresses9 minutes
Signatures and Transaction Mechanics10 minutes
Consensus21 minutes
Incentives, Latency, Data, Computing Power13 minutes
Cross-chain, Immutability, Oracles, Privacy13 minutes

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Share your learning experience10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 4 Graded Quiz30 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(130 ratings)

Campbell R. Harvey

Duke University

8 Courses85,758 learners

Offered by

Duke University

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Reviewed on Jan 31, 2022

DeFi Primitives gives an excellent idea of the exciting new world we are heading to in decentralized finance. Also highlights the need to contain energy costs and carbon emissions as we go along.

Reviewed on Dec 30, 2025

Really enjoyed this! Well taught and easy to follow, a great introduction. Thank you.

Reviewed on Nov 15, 2021

Excellent course in preparation for the Flare Finance platform to be released soon.

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