Individuals and institutions utilize decentralized finance (DeFi) to bypass traditional financial intermediaries, financial institutions, and centralized gatekeepers, thereby reducing transaction fees and processing friction. DeFi platforms offer permissionless, 24/7 global access to financial services such as high-yield lending, automated borrowing, asset swapping, and liquidity provision directly through self-custodial wallets and public blockchain smart contracts. This transparency, user control, and programmatic efficiency attract participants seeking alternative financial autonomy outside legacy banking frameworks.