DeFi’s direction depends on how much users value true decentralization over convenience. It's true many platforms now lean centralized, but the core idea isn’t lost—it just needs more builders and users who care about it. Regulation may shape the space, but innovation hasn’t stopped. It’s not too late.
Arguably DeFi feels a lot more convenient than Cex nowadays.
Using hyperliquid or uniswap, you're just one click away from doing your task, with cex you need to transfer to different sub account, etc. I always got annoyed by the fact that I need to transfer fund between spot, future, etc.
The only thing blocking DeFi from more recognition is that people are too afraid of self custody in most of the case, especially newbies.