The Social and Cultural Shift of DeFi
The Social and Cultural Shift of DeFi! Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is often praised for its disruptive technology—smart contracts, permissionless lending, and yield farming—but its true impact extends far beyond financial infrastructure. DeFi is catalyzing a global shift in how communities think about money, governance, and culture itself. What began as a technical experiment on the Ethereum blockchain has evolved into a broader social movement, driven by ideals of autonomy, transparency, and collective ownership. Community Ownership: DAOs and the Rise of Social Capital One of the most visible cultural transformations within DeFi is the emergence of DAOs—Decentralized Autonomous Organizations. These blockchain-governed communities operate without central leadership, often allocating decision-making power to token holders. But many DAOs aren’t just about governance—they’re also about identity, belonging, and shared purpose. Projects like Friends With Benefits (FWB) exemplify thi...