How can we defend against this process?
As retail investors, there is nothing we can do but adapt, regardless of what happens to Bitcoin. We have only two options, one is to adapt and accept all changes, and the other is to quietly leave the market.
However, I also don't see anyone worried or concerned about the issues you mentioned. I even see people being very excited and enthusiastic in supporting institutions and governments to buy and hold bitcoin. Because that would push the price of bitcoin even higher and that's what most investors are concerned about right now. Not many people care about decentralization as much as you think or as they say.
As long as bitcoin can help them make money and get rich, it doesn't matter whether bitcoin becomes centralized or not.