I recently heard that someone's wallet was hacked, and millions of dollars vanished in an instant. Private key leaks, authorization traps, cloned websites... these pitfalls seem impossible to avoid. But do you know? The real risk actually comes from the initial wrong choice.

Many people in the crypto world have suffered losses, mainly two types: either being wiped out by a project that suddenly collapses, or having poor security awareness. But one point is often overlooked — when you decide to put real money into a DeFi protocol, or even plan for years, your first question shouldn't be how much you can earn, but whether this thing is reliable.

How to judge specifically? Look at two hard indicators. First, code audits. Reports from top security firms like SlowMist and Certik are the most basic endorsements. Second, mechanism design. Models that have stood the test of time, like MakerDAO's over-collateralization framework, which has been running smoothly for many years, are what you can trust.

Then, look at the team and background. If the core members come from well-known blockchain technical teams, such as the core developers of BNB Chain, and have continuous support from ecosystem funds, at least it shows this isn't some small workshop. They treat this as a career, not just a quick money grab.

Stablecoins require especially cautious attention. The risk of stablecoins generated by your pledged assets depends entirely on the mechanism design and risk control capabilities behind them. So when choosing, you must clarify: Is this stablecoin over-collateralized? Does the issuer have sufficient technical expertise?

Under the premise of security, good DeFi protocols can truly give you financial flexibility — both staking for yields and using stablecoins for lending, leverage, or arbitrage. But remember, high returns without safety cushions are illusory.

Stories from the crypto world over the past few years tell us that longevity is the real winner. Losing assets and regretting is useless; it's better to do your homework now. Put your money into protocols with rigorous audits, strong teams, and robust mechanisms. This is the essential path from retail investors to mature investors. Don’t wait until you suffer losses to realize the value of security.