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Bridging
DeFi & Policy

DeFi Education Fund is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating for sound DeFi policy. At DEF, we are working to build a mainstream understanding of decentralized finance, and to protect the rights of developers, users, and projects to freely create decentralized infrastructure and technology.

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What We Do

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Defining DeFi

DEF is defining DeFi for policymakers, regulators, and those looking to better understand DeFi’s technical nuances and overarching promise — and, as critically, explain what DeFi is not.

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Representing DeFi

At the heart of our work, DEF represents DeFi technologies, builders, and users in D.C. and wherever DeFi can use a strong advocate.

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Mobilizing DeFi

As the only organization in D.C. exclusively focused on DeFi, DEF is mobilizing the DeFi community to present and elevate a unified “DeFi voice” in critical policy and legal discussions.

Policy Approach

DEF’s only agenda is to remain unwaveringly focused on what’s best for DeFi.

We work across all three branches of government and around the world.

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Defining Defi

What is DeFi?

DeFi — short for Decentralized Finance — is a system of financial applications built on public blockchains that allow individuals to execute their own peer-to-peer financial transactions without involving intermediaries and while custodying their own funds.

The DEF team creates free educational materials for those looking to learn more.

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DeFi Debrief

DeFi Debrief: November 7

DEF and SPI file response to Treasury about GENIUS Act; DEF hosts DeFi and Dim Sum event; DEF launches redesigned website; Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance launches DEF and SPI File Response to Treasury Department on GENIUS Act Implementation On November 4, 2025, DEF and Solana Policy Institute submitted a joint response to the U.S. Treasury […]

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Latest Research

Demystifying DeFi

A national study from DeFi Education Foundation, conducted with Ipsos on KnowledgePanel and supplemented by in-depth interviews in the Bronx and Queens, provides fresh insights into how Americans, especially underbanked communities, view the financial system and emerging technologies, like decentralized finance.

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49%

of Americans believe that the current United States financial system meets their financial needs.

25%

of respondents agree that “the traditional financial system is designed to advantage ordinary people.”

1 in 5

Americans have owned or used crypto in their lifetime.

56%

of Americans want full personal control over their money.