Remember when I first entered the crypto space, I was the quintessential "leek" — following any project promising high returns. Later, I either encountered a rug pull or my gains were instantly cut in half. After messing around for a while, my wallet shrank significantly. It wasn't until a friend recommended a leading LSDFi project (formerly Helio Protocol) that I truly understood the right way to manage USD1 investments. Today, I want to share the pitfalls I encountered and the methodology I found with newcomers.

**Safety Must Come First**

The core principle when choosing a financial platform is one word: stability. Never chase projects promising 30% or 50% annualized returns; most of these are just Ponzi schemes. Look for platforms with solid backgrounds and substantial scale. The top LSDFi project on BNB Chain is a good example; its TVL has already reached around $3.3 billion, making the risk of collapse virtually zero. More importantly, it uses an over-collateralization mechanism, which effectively buffers against severe market volatility — even if the crypto market crashes overnight, your principal has multiple layers of protection.

**Choose Steady Yields, Don’t Be Greedy**

Newcomers often fall into the trap of being attracted by high yields. Many platforms claiming 20%+ annualized returns are deeply risky. Reliable returns may not be the highest, but they must be sustainable. My advice is to follow two paths:

First, a conservative approach. The PSM pool offers 7%-12% annualized yield, and using USDT makes it easy to get started with ample liquidity. You can withdraw your funds anytime when needed. This is the most friendly option for beginners.

Second, if you want to pursue higher yields, you can try liquidity staking. Stake BNB to earn staking rewards and also lend out USD1 to continue earning interest. However, this approach requires a certain risk tolerance and a thorough understanding of the project mechanics.

In fact, in the USD1 track, it’s not about who earns the most but who can survive the longest. Choose a project with high transparency, sound mechanisms, and a reliable team. Earning steadily over 3-5 years is far better than chasing a high-yield project that collapses in six months. My advice to everyone is: take it slow, don’t rush.