Blockchain and Beyond: DeFi’s Role in Banking’s Digital Shift

The financial services industry is navigating a period of profound technological disruption, driven by the twin forces of blockchain technology and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). This paper provides a scholarly analysis of the impact these innovations are having on core banking functions, with a specific focus on the payments sector, a critical domain for core bankers. We posit that blockchain and DeFi are not merely incremental improvements but represent a fundamental paradigm shift, challenging the operational and business models of traditional finance (TradFi). The paper begins by establishing a theoretical framework, deconstructing blockchain's core tenets and the principles of DeFi. It then critically examines the application of these technologies to payments, lending, and asset management. Through a comparative analysis of payment architectures and detailed case studies—including J.P. Morgan's Onyx platform, the Aave lending protocol, and real-world asset tokenization—we illustrate the practical implications and transformative potential. Finally, the paper addresses the significant challenges and risks, including regulatory uncertainty, technological vulnerabilities, and operational integration hurdles. We conclude that while DeFi presents an existential challenge to incumbent institutions, it also offers an unprecedented opportunity for those willing to adopt a hybrid model, integrating decentralized technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and client value in the new digital economy.