# Disillusionment Related Articles

Aevo Co-founder's Long Post Criticizes the Industry: I Wasted 8 Years of My Life in Crypto

In a widely circulated article, Aevo co-founder and CTO Ken Chan reflects on his eight years in the crypto industry with deep disillusionment, describing it as a "waste" of his life. Initially drawn by libertarian ideals and the vision of decentralized financial systems like Bitcoin enabling private, borderless wealth, Chan now believes the space has devolved into the "largest casino in human history"—a massive, speculative gambling arena masked as innovation. He argues that despite idealistic rhetoric, the industry's incentives have prioritized speculation over substantive progress. New Layer 1 chains, DEXs, and meme platforms often serve as zero-sum gambling mechanisms rather than tools for genuine financial improvement. Chan admits to profiting from the system but expresses disgust at his role in fostering an ecosystem where high-market-cap tokens with no real users thrive, contradicting sustainable economic principles. He warns that the normalization of financial nihilism and get-rich-quick mentalities poses long-term risks to social mobility and value creation. While he still believes in crypto’s original vision, Chan concludes that the industry has lost its way, and he now prioritizes being "right" over chasing profits.

marsbit12/08 03:22