Despite the growing popularity of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance, DeFi still faces trust issues from insiders and outsiders alike. The total value locked in DeFi protocols decreased by over US$200 billion in 2022, reaching US$53 billion by year-end. However, ignoring DeFi is not an option as it is essential for the development of future blockchain applications.

DeFi's complexity and high barriers to entry hinder its mass adoption, and regulatory clarity is lacking. To increase DeFi's attractiveness, user interface and onboarding processes should be improved, and education should be provided to users.

DeFi's decentralized structure and open financial infrastructure make it an ideal tool for increasing financial inclusion and providing access to a wider range of financial services.

DeFi protocols can also be integrated into emerging ecosystems, such as GameFi projects and NFT marketplaces, to enable new forms of financing and reward systems. While issues of user experience, security, and regulation remain, DeFi has the potential to revolutionize the financial industry and may even see collaboration with traditional financial institutions in the future.