In the fast-paced world of crypto, where hype can make or break a token, a recent tweet from Mert, CEO of Helius Labs, is turning heads. He's highlighting a shift that's been brewing: the decline of centralized exchanges like Binance holding all the cards when it comes to token listings. The spotlight? Monad's native token, $MON, which is set to launch and trade on Solana's decentralized venues right from day one, bypassing the usual Binance stamp of approval.

Let's break it down. Monad is an up-and-coming layer-1 blockchain designed to supercharge Ethereum-compatible apps with blazing-fast speeds—think thousands of transactions per second without sacrificing decentralization. Their token, $MON, isn't just another altcoin; it's the fuel for their ecosystem. But what's got everyone buzzing is how it's debuting. Thanks to Wormhole's Sunrise initiative, $MON will be bridgeable to Solana immediately, allowing trading on DEXes like those on Solana or even Hyperliquid. No waiting for a centralized exchange to greenlight it.

Mert's tweet, quoting DeFi analyst Ignas, points out that Binance skipping the $MON listing on its token generation event (TGE) is a big deal. Historically, getting listed on Binance was like winning the lottery for new tokens—it brought liquidity, visibility, and often a price pump. But it came at a cost: hefty listing fees that some call "extraction." Teams would pay millions just for that spot, feeding into a centralized playbook.

Now, with platforms like Solana enabling seamless, decentralized launches, that model's cracking. As Mert puts it, "this is a WIN for crypto — apes together strong." That "apes" reference? It's a nod to the meme coin community, where retail traders (the "apes") band together to drive value without relying on big institutions. For meme tokens, which thrive on community hype and viral moments, this is huge. No more begging gatekeepers; launch on a DEX, let the market decide.

Ignas adds that Solana's move is strategic—users, even those dumping airdrops, will trade on-chain, boosting the ecosystem. And if projects can skip those "crazy Binance listing fees," it's bullish for the whole space. Replies to the tweet echo this sentiment: from calls of "degens rise" to celebrations of breaking "centralized gatekeeping."

This isn't isolated. We've seen similar trends with tokens launching on Base or other chains, but Solana's speed and low fees make it a prime spot for high-volume day-one action. For meme token enthusiasts, it means more opportunities to ape in early without the CEX premium. Projects like $MON show that serious tech can blend with meme energy, creating accessible entry points.

As crypto matures, decentralization wins. If you're building or trading meme tokens, keep an eye on Solana—it's where the action's shifting. Apes together strong, indeed.