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Deciphering DeFi: A Comprehensive Analysis and Visualization of Risks in Decentralized Finance

Author

Listed:
  • Tim Weingärtner

    (School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6343 Rotkreuz, Switzerland)

  • Fabian Fasser

    (School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6343 Rotkreuz, Switzerland)

  • Pedro Reis Sá da Costa

    (School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6343 Rotkreuz, Switzerland)

  • Walter Farkas

    (Department of Banking and Finance, University of Zürich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
    Department of Mathematics, ETH Zürich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
    Swiss Finance Institute, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Decentralized finance (DeFi) promises a revolution in financial accessibility, transparency, and automation. Yet, its very novelty exposes participants to a number of additional risks and challenges. This study aims to address the risks associated with DeFi, while also conducting a comparative analysis to those of classical/traditional finance (TradFi). After introducing DeFi and its defining characteristics, such as the use of smart contracts, blockchain technology, and decentralized governance, the paper outlines the principal risks associated with DeFi. Drawing insights from an extensive literature review of 200 recent articles, of which 50 were thoroughly analyzed, the study compares risks of DeFi and TradFi, categorizing these into systematic and unsystematic risks. Furthermore, we introduce the ‘risk wheel’, an innovative tool tailored to understand and navigate the subtleties of DeFi risks, finding potential applications in risk assessment, management, and even education. This paper’s primary objective is to provide a detailed and impartial examination of the risks associated with DeFi and their comparison to traditional finance in order to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions and mitigating possible losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Tim Weingärtner & Fabian Fasser & Pedro Reis Sá da Costa & Walter Farkas, 2023. "Deciphering DeFi: A Comprehensive Analysis and Visualization of Risks in Decentralized Finance," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:454-:d:1264017
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen, Yan & Bellavitis, Cristiano, 2020. "Blockchain disruption and decentralized finance: The rise of decentralized business models," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 13(C).
    2. Mohsen Pourpouneh & Kurt Nielsen & Omri Ross, 2020. "Automated Market Makers," IFRO Working Paper 2020/08, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.
    3. Matthias Nadler & Felix Bekemeier & Fabian Schar, 2022. "DeFi Risk Transfer: Towards A Fully Decentralized Insurance Protocol," Papers 2212.10308, arXiv.org.
    4. Francesca Carapella & Edward Dumas & Jacob Gerszten & Nathan Swem, 2022. "Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Transformative Potential and Associated Risks," Policy Hub, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, vol. 2022(14), October.
    5. Laura Grassi & Davide Lanfranchi & Alessandro Faes & Filippo Maria Renga, 2022. "Do we still need financial intermediation? The case of decentralized finance – DeFi," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 19(3), pages 323-347, February.
    6. Sirio Aramonteand & Wenqian Huang & Andreas Schrimpf, 2021. "DeFi risks and the decentralisation illusion," BIS Quarterly Review, Bank for International Settlements, December.
    7. Raphael A. Auer, 2022. "Embedded Supervision: How to Build Regulation into Decentralised Finance," CESifo Working Paper Series 9771, CESifo.
    8. Francesca Carapella & Nathan Swem, 2022. "Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Transformative Potential & Associated Risks," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2022-057, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Remy Oben & Fezile Özdamlı, 2024. "Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Benefits, Risks, and RiskMitigation Strategies," Istanbul Business Research, Istanbul University Business School, vol. 53(3), pages 455-475, December.
    2. Fernando TEIXEIRA & Susana Soares Pinheiro Vieira PESCADA & Christos Ap. LADIAS & Murat HULAJ & Filipos RUXHO & Valter MACHADO, 2025. "Stablecoin Dp2p: Innovation And Sustainability In Fiat Currencies," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 95-106, June.
    3. Bogdan Adamyk & Vladlena Benson & Oksana Adamyk & Oksana Liashenko, 2025. "Risk Management in DeFi: Analyses of the Innovative Tools and Platforms for Tracking DeFi Transactions," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-31, January.
    4. Ghaemi Asl, Mahdi & Ben Jabeur, Sami, 2024. "Tail connectedness of DeFi and CeFi with accessible banking pillars: Unveiling novel insights through wavelet and quantile cross-spectral coherence analyses," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    5. Andry Alamsyah & Gede Natha Wijaya Kusuma & Dian Puteri Ramadhani, 2024. "A Review on Decentralized Finance Ecosystems," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-29, February.

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