Definition ∞ Public chain finance refers to financial applications and services built upon open, permissionless blockchain networks accessible to anyone. These platforms leverage the transparency, immutability, and decentralization of public blockchains to offer services like lending, borrowing, and trading digital assets. The infrastructure supports a global, accessible financial ecosystem. It contrasts with private or permissioned blockchain solutions.
Context ∞ Public chain finance is a rapidly expanding sector, constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional financial services through decentralization. Discussions often address scalability limitations, security vulnerabilities, and the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding these open networks. A critical future development involves improving the underlying blockchain infrastructure to handle increased transaction volumes and enhance user protection, fostering broader institutional and retail adoption.