“I Wasted 8 Years in Crypto”: A Builder’s Exit Note Goes Viral Across Asia

Ken Chan, former co-founder of derivatives protocol Aevo, published a viral exit note stating he "wasted 8 years in crypto" because he built a "casino," not a new financial system. Chan, initially a starry-eyed libertarian inspired by Ayn Rand, became disillusioned after witnessing Layer 1 wars that only torched capital without meaningful progress. His confession, shared widely across Asian crypto communities, struck a chord amid market exhaustion and volatility. Responses in Chinese and Korean communities reflected shared fatigue, questioning the industry's real-world utility beyond speculation. Chan also warned that the industry's toxic mentality could harm the younger generation's social mobility. Six months after leaving Aevo, Chan stated he chooses to "be right this time," pivoting to a personal satellite project, leaving many to ponder if his realization is hindsight or an exit convenience.

(Source：BeInCrypto)