Market
Decentralized Masters and Their DeFi Journey

Decentralized finance (DeFi) scene is growing quickly. Tan Gera and Salim Elhila and have entered this dynamic field, starting Decentralized Masters, a platform to guide and teach people about the crypto world.
The entrepreneur duo’s journey shows their ability to adapt, overcome, and evolve, as they create a space for themselves in DeFi’s changing environment.
Decentralized Masters is a platform designed to educate and guide individuals in the DeFi space. It offers comprehensive resources and strategies for navigating the crypto industry, covering everything from portfolio management to market analysis. The platform fosters a mastermind community, bringing together high-value individuals to share insights and strategies. Decentralized Masters aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the emerging DeFi world, equipping members with the knowledge and tools to succeed.
From Wall Street to Web3
Salim, an AI and big data engineer by trade, found his calling beyond the corporate world. With a background in engineering, mathematics, and statistical modeling, he expanded his expertise to include marketing and sales strategies for online ventures, becoming the marketing mastermind behind a combined $100M in sales in these industries.Yet, his real breakthrough came in 2022 when a tweet by Elon Musk sparked his interest in Bitcoin (BTC), propelling him down the cryptocurrency rabbit hole.
“I participated in many Web3 projects, the most famous being MetaLegends, where I was managing the marketing side of things. This project sold out for $20 million. That’s when I realized things are happening way faster in the Web3 world”, Salim says. “And by that time, I met Tan. At the peak of the last bull market we chose to launch something together. And that’s how Decentralized Masters came to be.”
Tan, on the other hand, began his journey in the world of finance, climbing the investment banking ladder. From the suburbs of Paris, he navigated a traditional path, securing a role on Wall Street, where he witnessed the inner workings of the banking industry. But Tan’s experience with crypto conferences and witnessing the potential of blockchain technology led him to shift gears. He recognized the power of DeFi, particularly in comparison to traditional banking systems, and made the transition to the crypto space.
“At 21 I passed my CFP1 and got access to Wall Street. I did an internship there as an investment banker, and it really opened my eyes,” Tan adds. “I saw behind the curtains of the big investment banks how the game was rigged. And I saw true use cases of crypto, how it could make everything better.”
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
The inception of Decentralized Masters came at a crucial moment. The company launched just before a brutal market crash: one of the biggest centralized exchanges in the US, FTX, collapsed, triggering a domino effect throughout the industry. The downfall of Sam Bankman-Fried’s empire led to widespread fear, eroded trust in CEXes and intensified the challenges for a freshly launched company.
Despite early success, their journey took a steep turn when their payment processor unexpectedly blocked transactions and banking partners temporarily froze funds. Plus, social platforms restricted their content and it was as if everyone was against them. However, Salim and Tan saw an opportunity in the adversity.
“We were starting to sell really well. It was a massive success. But after one or two weeks of sales, the FTX crash happened,” – Salim reflects. “And from there, everything went downhill. We almost gave up, it felt like the whole Universe was conspiring to make sure we wouldn’t win. But by the end of the year we were like – you know what, if we manage to do this during a bear market, imagine how amazing it will be during a bull market? And from there, it has been a crazy ascension.”
The duo’s resilience paid off, as they secured new banking partners and payment processors, and Decentralized Masters grew from zero employees by the end of 2022 to over 80 team members in just a year.
Both entrepreneurs now look back to late November 2022 as a turning point for the whole DeFi space. People recognized that centralized exchanges were not safe and reaffirmed the value proposition of DeFi platforms.
Tan notes centralized exchanges function like traditional banks, using clients’ assets to make money and offering crypto products without leveraging blockchain technology. According to him, this leads to issues such as limited transparency and lack of security, as seen in the FTX case.
“What centralized exchanges do? They pay clients 3-4% and use their crypto to make 20-30-40% in DeFi protocols. That’s exactly what the bank does when you leave your money in savings,” he recalls. “What we want to teach people is to self-custody their funds to hedge against the monetary system, so they can control it and make the profit instead of giving it to the third party.”
The Decentralized Approach
Decentralized Masters provides comprehensive education on DeFi and crypto markets. The platform’s value lies in its multifaceted approach, from portfolio management and asset selection to technical analysis and strategy development.
As for now, the company boasts a team of 10 full-time analysts who conduct in-depth research into various projects, comparing them across a range of variables. They provide a full overview of each asset, incorporating fundamental, technical, on-chain, and team analyses. The projects are then graded based on these variables, resulting in a ranking system to assess their success potential.
“We’re lucky to be surrounded by a team of people who are all experts in their different narratives. They conduct due diligence on a daily basis,” Tan explains. “That allows us to basically rate different protocols, different projects, and make sure that we only invest in projects that have a high potential of staying alive.”
But the team’s vision extends beyond analysis, encompassing community building and mentoring. Decentralized Masters offers a mastermind community and a platform for members to connect and share knowledge. This extensive ecosystem has fostered a thriving community, where members proudly display their credentials.
“We gather high-value individuals with the same sophistication and values,” Salim notes. “Сommunity in crypto is everything: it can make or break one’s success. At the end of the day, when you’re surrounded by the right people, things tend to work pretty well.”
Bridging TradFi and DeFi
Decentralized Masters’ narrative was designed to act as a bridge between traditional finance (TradFi) and DeFi. Their strategies leverage portfolio management principles from Tan’s CFA background, while also incorporating decentralized finance tools. This convergence of two worlds is pivotal to their mission.
“We teach people to stay away from risk while optimizing potential rewards. It’s all about the portfolio allocation principles that we have and the rules that we follow to make sure we avoid the downside,” Salim comments. “Once you have decided which 10 to 12 assets you want to hold, you can use DeFi tools to juice up the returns with a long term mindset. When the market is going red, you can add some delta-neutral strategies and more elaborate strategies on top.”
The founders draw a parallel from the TradFi world to the current DeFi space, where concepts such as restaking and liquid restaking echo the derivatives ideology from traditional finance. They highlight that this transition represents a broader shift, with all the innovation from TradFi moving to DeFi, where everything can be tokenized.
“While TradFi currently holds more capabilities due to decades of development, DeFi is quickly catching up, particularly with finance experts joining the pace. This space needs real finance people to jump ship and help the devs,» Tan asserts, highlighting the need for collaboration between financial and technical expertise.
This union is embodied in the Decentralized Masters team, with Salim’s engineering prowess and Tan’s finance acumen driving the platform’s growth. The project is poised to expand further, led by its dedication to education, innovation, and community building. Decentralized Masters’ vision reflects the evolving crypto space, as they merge the old and new financial worlds, offering nuanced insights and strategies.
Disclaimer
In compliance with the Trust Project guidelines, this opinion article presents the author’s perspective and may not necessarily reflect the views of BeInCrypto. BeInCrypto remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest standards of journalism. Readers are advised to verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Binance Faces Community Backlash and Boycott Calls

Controversies surrounding token listings, the depegging of the FDUSD stablecoin, and allegations of unethical behavior have raised a crucial question: Is Binance losing its credibility?
These issues threaten to erode trust and challenge Binance’s standing in the crypto industry.
Binance Struggles to Meet the Standard
One of Binance‘s most pressing issues is the poor performance of the tokens listed on the exchange. As BeInCrypto reported earlier, 89% of the tokens listed on the platform in 2025 recorded negative returns.
Even more concerning, another report reveals that most of the tokens listed in 2024 also experienced negative performance.
Listing on Binance was once considered a “launchpad” for new projects. However, it no longer guarantees success.
A prime example is the ACT token, a meme coin listed on the exchange that quickly plummeted. Earlier this week, Wintermute—a major market maker—dumped a large amount of ACT, exerting strong downward pressure on its price and raising concerns about the transparency of Binance’s listing process.
Such criticism has led the community to believe Binance prioritizes listing fees over users’ interests.
Connection to FDUSD
The FDUSD stablecoin has also become a focal point of controversy, with Binance at its center. FDUSD lost its peg, dropping to $0.89 after reports surfaced that its issuing company had gone bankrupt.
Wintermute, one of the largest FDUSD holders outside of Binance, withdrew 31.36 million FDUSD from the exchange at 11:15 AM UTC. This move is believed to have exacerbated the depegging situation, sparking panic in the market.
More concerning, a community member claimed that some Binance employees leaked internal information about the FDUSD incident so they could select whale chat groups.
If true, this would severely damage Binance’s reputation and raise major questions about the platform’s transparency and ethics.
Overall, the community’s dissatisfaction is growing, with many users calling for a boycott of the exchange. Such negative reactions are shaking user confidence in the platform, which was once considered a symbol of credibility in the crypto space.
“Binance today caused massive liquidations on alts listed on their exchange. I warned you all yesterday about their very dirty tactics, specifically GUN. I refuse to use Binance #BoycottBinance,” wrote popular crypto YouTuber Jesus Martinez.
These accusations stem from a central issue that Binance prioritizes profits over user interests. Over the past few months, the community has constantly criticized its listing strategy, arguing that the exchange focuses on “shitcoins” to collect high listing fees without considering project quality.
Although the exchange recently introduced a community voting mechanism to decide on listings, this might not be enough to silence the criticism.
As a Tier-1 exchange, the company is evaluated based on trading volume, security, regulatory compliance, and community trust. However, recent events suggest that the exchange is struggling to maintain these standards.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Stellar (XLM) Falls 5% as Bearish Signals Strengthen

Stellar (XLM) is down more than 5% on Thursday, with its market capitalization dropping to $8 billion. XLM technical indicators are flashing strong bearish signals, suggesting continued downward momentum that could test critical support levels around $0.22.
While a reversal scenario remains possible with resistance targets at $0.27, $0.29, and $0.30, such an upside move would require a substantial shift in market sentiment.
XLM RSI Shows Sellers Are In Control
Stellar’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dropped sharply to 38.99, down from 59.54 just two days ago—signaling a notable shift in momentum.
The RSI is a widely used momentum oscillator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes, typically ranging between 0 and 100.
Readings above 70 suggest overbought conditions, while levels below 30 indicate oversold territory. A reading between 30 and 50 often reflects bearish momentum but is not yet extreme enough to trigger an immediate reversal.

With Stellar’s RSI now below the key midpoint of 50 and approaching the oversold threshold, the current reading of 38.99 suggests that sellers are gaining control.
While it’s not yet in oversold territory, it does signal weakening buying pressure and increasing downside risk.
If the RSI continues to fall, XLM could face further price declines unless buyers step in soon to stabilize the trend and prevent a slide into more deeply oversold levels.
Stellar CMF Heavily Dropped Since April 1
Stellar’s Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) has plunged to -10, a sharp decline from 0.19 just two days ago, signaling a significant shift in capital flow dynamics.
The CMF is an indicator that measures the volume-weighted average of accumulation and distribution over a set period—essentially tracking whether money is flowing into or out of an asset.
Positive values suggest buying pressure and accumulation, while negative values point to selling pressure and capital outflow.

With XLM’s CMF now deep in negative territory at -10, it indicates that sellers are firmly in control and substantial capital is leaving the asset.
This level of negative flow can put downward pressure on price, especially if it aligns with other bearish technical signals. Unless buying volume returns to offset this outflow, XLM could continue to weaken in the near term.
Will Stellar Fall To Five-Month Lows?
Stellar price action presents concerning signals as EMA indicators point to a strong bearish trend with significant downside potential.
Technical analysis suggests this downward momentum could push XLM to test critical support around $0.22. It could breach this level and fall below the psychologically important $0.20 threshold—a price not seen since November 2024.
This technical deterioration warrants caution from traders and investors as selling pressure appears to be intensifying.

Conversely, a trend reversal scenario would require a substantial shift in market sentiment. Should bulls regain control, XLM could challenge the immediate resistance at $0.27, with further upside targets at $0.29 and the key $0.30 level.
However, this optimistic outlook faces considerable obstacles, as only a dramatic sentiment shift coupled with the emergence of a powerful uptrend would enable such a recovery.
Until clearer bullish signals manifest, the prevailing technical structure continues to favor the bearish case.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Solana (SOL) Crashes 11%—Is More Pain Ahead?

Solana (SOL) is under heavy pressure, with its price down more than 10% in the last 24 hours as bearish momentum intensifies across key indicators. The Ichimoku Cloud, BBTrend, and price structure all point to continued downside risk, with SOL now hovering dangerously close to critical support levels.
Technical signals show sellers firmly in control, while the widening gap from resistance zones makes a near-term recovery increasingly difficult.
Solana’s Ichimoku Cloud chart is currently flashing strong bearish signals. The price has sharply broken below both the Tenkan-sen (blue line) and Kijun-sen (red line), confirming a clear rejection of short-term support levels.
Both of these lines are now angled downward, reinforcing the view that bearish momentum is gaining strength.
The sharp distance between the latest candles and the cloud further suggests that any recovery would face significant resistance ahead.

Looking at the Kumo (cloud) itself, the red cloud projected forward is thick and sloping downward, indicating that bearish pressure is expected to persist in the coming sessions.
The price is well below the cloud, which typically means the asset is in a strong downtrend.
For Solana to reverse this trend, it would need to reclaim the Tenkan-sen and Kijun-sen and push decisively through the entire cloud structure—an outcome that looks unlikely in the short term, given the current momentum and cloud formation.
Solana’s BBTrend Signals Prolonged Bearish Momentum
Solana’s BBTrend indicator currently sits at -6, having remained in negative territory for over five consecutive days. Just two days ago, it hit a bearish peak of -12.72, showing the strength of the recent downtrend.
Although it has slightly recovered from that low, the sustained negative reading signals that selling pressure remains firmly in control and that the bearish momentum hasn’t yet been reversed.
The BBTrend (Bollinger Band Trend) measures the strength and direction of a trend using Bollinger Bands. Positive values suggest bullish conditions and upward momentum, while negative values indicate bearish trends.

Generally, values beyond 5 are considered strong trend signals. With Solana’s BBTrend still well below -5, it implies that downside risk remains elevated.
Unless a sharp shift in momentum occurs, this persistent bearish reading may continue to weigh on SOL’s price in the near term.
Solana Eyes $112 Support as Bears Test February Lows
Solana’s price has broken below the key $115 level, and the next major support lies around $112. A confirmed move below this threshold could trigger further downside. That could potentially push the price under $110 for the first time since February 2024.
The recent momentum and strong bearish indicators suggest sellers remain in control, increasing the likelihood of testing these lower support levels in the near term.

However, if Solana manages to stabilize and reverse its current trajectory, a rebound toward the $120 resistance level could follow.
Breaking above that would be the first sign of recovery, and if bullish momentum accelerates, SOL price could aim for higher targets at $131 and $136.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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