What separates credible projects from the rest? Three pillars matter: transparency that builds trust, rigorous security audits that prove legitimacy, and genuine ecosystem activity rather than manufactured hype. In any Web3 space, marketing noise can easily overshadow substance—but the real indicator of a project's merit is whether it actually decentralizes power and delivers on mechanics. Look at the pools, the protocol architecture, the on-chain activity. When a project prioritizes audits and open governance over flashy announcements, it signals maturity. Trust isn't given; it's earned through consistent execution and radical transparency about both achievements and limitations.