Explore the top books that make learning Decentralized Finance simple, structured, and beginner-friendly.
From foundational blockchain concepts to advanced DeFi strategies, these books help you build a step-by-step understanding.
Level up your crypto knowledge with beginner, intermediate, and advanced DeFi books designed for safe, practical, and real-world learning.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is transforming how people invest, save, borrow, earn, and interact with financial systems. The services that once required banks and intermediaries can now be done through decentralized protocols like Aave, Uniswap, and Curve. However, sometimes DeFi can feel complicated. Technical terms like liquidity pools, AMMs, staking, and yield farming may look alien to loads of investors.
If you are among those people who don’t have a proper knowledge of DeFi, you should take the help of a proper book. Therefore, below are the top DeFi books to help you understand the concept from scratch, including blockchain fundamentals, advanced DeFi strategies, and loads more.
Relevance: Best for absolute beginners
Key Highlights:
Non-technical walkthrough
25 simple learning steps
Perfect starting point for DeFi learners
Daniel Drescher’s ‘Blockchain Basics’ is for those who want to learn the concept of DeFi to build their foundation. The book avoids code and complex math problems. Instead, it offers a clear explanation of how blockchain works, why it matters, and what it enables. Before learning DeFi protocols, you need to understand the underlying technology, and this book makes that journey easy, structured, and beginner-friendly.
Also Read: Standard Chartered Predicts $2 Trillion DeFi Market by 2028
Relevance: Best for new DeFi learners
Key Highlights:
Simple explanations
Visual diagrams
Covers DEXs, staking, liquidity pools
The next book that beginners must try if they want to learn about DeFi is ‘How to DeFi: Beginner.’ This is one of the most widely renowned books among newcomers, which explains the basics of decentralized exchanges, lending protocols, yield generation, and stablecoins without confusing the reader. With visuals and real examples, the book teaches both what DeFi is and how to use it safely. Therefore, beginners can grab the book if they are trying to learn DeFi from scratch.
Relevance: Best for economic and technical understanding
Key Highlights:
Macro perspective
Risk analysis
DeFi vs. traditional finance
DeFi and the Future of Finance is a widely recommended book as it was written by
economists and DeFi innovators. The most interesting part is that this book analyzes how decentralized finance challenges traditional banking and global financial systems. The book explains the concept of automated market makers, governance models, lending mechanisms, and systemic risks. Therefore, if you're a beginner or want to understand the economic impact and long-term potential of DeFi, don't miss out on the book.
Relevance: Best for advanced learners
Key Highlights:
Flash loans
Derivatives
Advanced strategies and tools
Once you have some basic ideas of the concept of DeFi, you can go for How to DeFi: Advanced, for more elaborate ideas and explanations. The book will unfold more sophisticated topics like synthetic assets, arbitrage, multi-chain ecosystems, etc., in detail. Further, How to DeFi: Advanced dive deeper into major protocols. To be precise, it is ideal for learners who are trying to understand advanced mechanisms behind modern DeFi innovations.
Relevance: Best for earning-focused learners
Key Highlights:
Yield farming strategies
Impermanent loss explained
Step-by-step guides
The Complete DeFi Yield Farming Manual is one of the most rewarding books to try if you are interested in DeFi, especially as a source of earning. However, at the same time, it defines the risky areas of DeFi. Additionally, the manual will help beginners understand liquidity pools, rewards, APR/APY, and risk management. With clear examples and strategy walkthroughs, The Complete DeFi Yield Farming Manual is a perfect choice for beginners to consider.
Also Read: Top 10 DeFi Platforms in UK
If the confusion is where to begin the journey, it’s hard to explain. A single book can’t satisfy every learner's curiosity. Therefore, you have to choose based on your knowledge about Decentralized Finance and Blockchain technologies. If you’re confused about where to begin, start based on your skill level.
For those who are completely beginners and have no knowledge of DeFi, choose Blockchain Basics. People who are new to DeFi and have little knowledge can choose How to DeFi: Beginner. Similarly, if you have knowledge of the core concept but want some economic insight, DeFi and the Future of Finance is an unbeatable choice.
What you need to remember is that your choice depends on whether you want to learn the technology or understand the long-term financial impact.
Which is the best book to start learning DeFi?
Ans: A solid introduction will always start with Blockchain Basics as it provides foundational blockchain knowledge before learning about DeFi.
Can a beginner learn DeFi from these books?
Ans: Definitely. Books like, How to DeFi: Beginner explains DeFi concepts in simple language with illustrations.
Do I need coding to understand DeFi?
Ans: Not at all. Coding is not a requirement for DeFi. Most books explain DeFi concepts without requiring technical knowledge.
Are these books suitable for investors?
Ans: Not particularly. Most of the books we recommend will explore DeFi concepts without the need for technical expertise.
Is yield farming beginner-friendly?
Ans: It may pose dangers. This is the reason why The Complete DeFi Yield Farming Manual is recommended for risk-free and controlled learning.
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