DeFi Fails to Address Infrastructure Issues for the Unbanked
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 11 2026- Infrastructure Gap: Decentralized finance (DeFi) has failed to provide the necessary infrastructure for unbanked populations, as it still relies heavily on traditional financial systems despite claims of promoting financial inclusion.
- Dependency Issues: The liquidity and stability of DeFi are highly dependent on the health of traditional finance, which limits its ability to effectively serve excluded groups and exacerbates reliance on the existing financial system.
- Product-Demand Mismatch: While DeFi has launched various new products, these offerings do not address the core needs of unbanked individuals, such as reliable identity verification and payment systems, rendering them largely inaccessible in practice.
- Future Challenges: To achieve genuine financial transformation, DeFi must focus on building new financial infrastructure rather than merely optimizing existing products, a process that, while challenging, is crucial for achieving equitable finance.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
