DeFi, ReFi, DeSci - Breaking Down the Acronyms

‍What they are, and why they matter

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DeFi (Decentralized Finance)

Decentralized Finance refers to blockchain-based systems that enable peer-to-peer financial services like saving, lending, stablecoin payments, and insurance, without centralized intermediaries.

Examples:

• Aave
• Uniswap
• Celo Mento's Stablecoins

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ReFi (Regenerative Finance)

Regenerative Finance uses web3 tools to support climate action, local resilience, and sustainable economies. Projects often focus on verifiable impact, on-chain carbon, and community governance.

Examples:

• Regen Network
• Ethic Hub
• Open Forest Protocol

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DeSci (Decentralized Science)

Decentralized Science aims to democratize research by improving funding, access, and collaboration. Using blockchain, it enables open data, transparent grants, decentralized IP, and community-led discovery.

Examples:

• AthenaDAO
• HairDAO
• DeSci Labs