In the fast-paced world of decentralized finance (DeFi), getting your project off the ground can feel like navigating a maze. But according to Anna MS George from CoW Swap, a popular DeFi protocol known for its coincidence of wants matching that helps traders get better prices without front-running, the key is to keep things simple and avoid perfectionism.

HyperNest, an accelerator program dedicated to boosting DeFi and Real World Assets (RWA) startups with top-tier resources, investors, and mentors, recently dropped a teaser for their upcoming podcast episode. Hosted by Alessio Zazza, the clip features Anna sharing some golden nuggets of wisdom that every blockchain entrepreneur should hear.

The Core Message: Simplify and Iterate

The teaser kicks off with a sleek animated intro featuring glowing blue networks—symbolizing the interconnected world of blockchain—before cutting to a candid video call between Alessio and Anna. Alessio prompts Anna on the biggest learnings from her experience, and she boils it down to one word: simplification.

"It's something that we still struggle with," Anna admits with a smile. "I think a lot we have gotten. But it was one of the biggest learnings."

She explains how, as decentralization enthusiasts (or "decentralization maxis," as she puts it), the team at CoW Swap initially aimed for a fully decentralized product right from the start. But after years on the drawing board, they realized that might not be the smartest move.

"It's like when you bring something new to the market, don't try to be perfect," Anna says. "Don't necessarily, like we were very much decentralization maxis, but we also realized sitting on the drawing board for multiple years and launching something that is fully decentralized from the get go and then might not hit a user then. Whatever can be a huge waste of time."

Instead, her advice is straightforward: "So simplify, like what is the minimum viable product that you really need to test and test it out early, get feedback and then see if you're going in the right direction."

For those new to the term, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the most basic version of your idea that you can build and release to test if it resonates with users. In the context of meme tokens or DeFi projects, this could mean launching a simple smart contract with core features rather than waiting for every bell and whistle.

Why This Matters for Meme Token Creators

While CoW Swap focuses on advanced trading mechanics, Anna's insights are spot-on for the meme token space too. Meme coins often explode in popularity based on community hype and simple mechanics, but many projects fizzle out because founders overcomplicate things or delay launches chasing perfection. By defining a small MVP—say, a token with basic liquidity and a fun narrative—you can gauge interest quickly and iterate based on real feedback.

HyperNest's teaser is a reminder that in blockchain, speed and adaptability trump flawless execution every time. The full episode promises more deep dives into DeFi strategies, so keep an eye on HyperNest's X account for the release.

If you're building in DeFi or RWAs, tips like these can save you months of headaches. What do you think—have you fallen into the perfection trap before? Share your stories in the comments!

For the original teaser, check out the tweet here.