In the fast-paced world of decentralized finance (DeFi), finding tokens that you can confidently hold for a couple of years isn't easy. But every now and then, projects stand out with strong fundamentals that scream longevity. A recent discussion sparked by DeFi analyst @Defi0xJeff on X (formerly Twitter) dives into this exact topic, asking folks what they'd bet on for the long haul—excluding the big majors or high-cap alts.

Jeff highlights Pendle as his top pick in traditional DeFi. If you're new to it, Pendle is a protocol that lets users trade future yields on assets, essentially tokenizing interest rates. It's got a crystal-clear value proposition: helping people hedge or speculate on yields without locking up capital forever. Plus, it boasts solid product-market fit (PMF)—meaning it solves a real problem that users actually need—and great alignment among stakeholders, from developers to token holders. No wonder it's a conviction play; it's designed to thrive as DeFi matures.

Shifting gears to DeFAI (that's DeFi powered by AI, blending artificial intelligence with decentralized finance for smarter strategies), Jeff points to Almanak as a promising contender. They've already shown initial PMF with two AI-tokenized vault strategies, which are basically automated pools that use AI to optimize returns on your crypto. The veTokenomics model—think vote-escrowed tokens that reward long-term holders with governance power—signals strong commitment from the community. However, its staying power depends on the quality of those quant strategies and the upcoming flagship ones. It's early days, but if the AI delivers consistent efficiency, this could be a game-changer.

The thread didn't stop there; it drew in replies from the crypto crowd sharing their own bets. Some echoed Jeff's love for Pendle, calling it a "clear edge" for long-term holding. Others threw in names like Hyperliquid, Katana, Pump, Hype, and even WLFI (though it's too new to judge). One user hyped Concordium for its unique selling point: a layer-1 blockchain with built-in privacy-preserving self-sovereign identity (SSID), making it compliant and business-friendly without sacrificing decentralization.

Ethena also got a nod, known for its synthetic dollar stablecoin that generates yield through delta-neutral strategies—basically balancing positions to minimize risk while earning from funding rates.

What makes these discussions gold for meme token enthusiasts and broader blockchain practitioners? They highlight the importance of looking beyond hype. In the meme world, where pumps can be fleeting, spotting projects with real PMF and aligned incentives is key to building a resilient portfolio. Whether you're into pure memes or hybrid DeFAI plays, threads like this offer a roadmap: focus on utility, community buy-in, and tech that evolves.

If you're scouting for your next hold, consider diving deeper into these. Pendle's yield trading could complement meme strategies during volatile times, while Almanak's AI vaults might automate gains from trending tokens. What's your take—what's your 2-3 year conviction play in this space?