That’s why decentralized finance (DeFi) sounds so refreshing. It’s a chance to hit the reset button by making markets fair and open rather than tilted toward a privileged few. In a perfect world, DeFi’s transparency and inclusive structure could restore some faith in the power of voluntary exchange. But as this sector grows and regulators start paying serious attention, it remains a question whether DeFi can hold onto those founding values — or if it resembles the system it is set out to replace.