The author reflects on their eight years in crypto, initially drawn by ideals of decentralization and financial freedom. Over time, they became disenchanted with the reality of the industry, which they see as focused on speculation and gambling rather than creating a better financial system.

This article discusses the current challenges facing DeFi, highlighting its decline in popularity following the initial surge during the 2020-2021 bull market. It notes that the crypto community has shifted its focus to new trends like social tokens, the metaverse, and NFTs. The author reflects on the lessons learned from this period.