I’m the only one who feels more and more Cognitive dissonance Now in cryptocurrency?
The cryptocurrency industry has always had revolutionary roots. It appeared in the Bitcoin White Paper in 2008, a direct response to the financial crisis that weakened livelihoods while protecting a systemic, flawed corrupt banking system. Bitcoin is not only a technological innovation, but also a political and ideological statement. Builders and thinkers are ready to use tools to challenge the status quo, not just words.
As someone who has worked in crypto for many years, I should celebrate. Today, decentralized technology is no longer on the edge. Fintech adopts stable bacteria. Bitcoin ETFs are being traded on traditional exchanges. Ordinary people have heard of blockchain. from Capitol Hill For Davos, cryptocurrencies are no longer ridiculed in the room.
But despite the superficial level of “legality”, I can’t help but feel that I’ve lost something essential. The spirit of cryptocurrency (the Cypherpunk values that make us come here) is downplayed, choice, and in some cases it is directly betrayed.
this Cypherpunk The core belief of the movement is that technology can and should be used to rebalance capabilities – from governments and monopolies to companies and individuals. Peer-to-peer networking, end-to-end encryption, patient platforms – these are not buzzwords; they are committed to improving our society.
stripe Get Crypto infrastructure startup? That’s great, but that doesn’t create legitimacy in the crypto industry. This is Big Fintech’s survival move to maintain relevance and improve its products. Circle disclosure is a company’s milestone, not a verification of the crypto principle. Bitcoin ETFs may bring liquidity, but not ideological consistency.
These fintech brands didn’t lead the movement and they responded to it. They are trying to keep up with crypto-local upstarts who are quickly making their legacy models obsolete.
Let’s not confuse acquisitions with verification. Just because suits are now interested in the tools we build doesn’t mean they understand, respect, or intend to keep the reasons why these tools exist.
Encryption should not be another tool in the hands of the country. It should be a counterweight.
It is therefore understandable that recent political engagement and clearer regulatory frameworks (such as the Genius Act) are like progress. Apps like Coinbase and Polymarket are gaining family recognition. President Biden’s successor even expanded the olive branch to the industry.
But somewhere along the way, many of us seem to have lost the plot.
An obvious example? Coinbase recently sponsored military parades related to President Trump.
This is not partisan criticism. This is a principle. Coinbase’s mission statement stressed that political reasons are “distractions to our mission.” In fact, however, the company has been repeatedly aligned with political events, from sponsoring presidential inauguration funds to accelerating the rapid employment of former employees.
CEO Brian Armstrong Recent tenders Among front door employees, the staff is very poignant: “If you are looking for the next task after serving the country, consider creating a more effective financial system for Coinbase.”
This framework – Coinbase’s mission to the nation, elaborates on the spreading and fusion between the crypto butler and the structure of power we were originally going to balance.
Yes, Coinbase is a publicly traded company. Yes, it operates in jurisdictions of legal and political administration. But compliance does not mean being selected. Sponsoring political events, aligning with politicians, and transforming profits from proximity to power, undermining the moral basis of decentralized technology.
Coinbase is not alone. Crypto-funded super PACs invest money into the election at all levels. Now that Ripple is a lobbyist for DC, we still see it as FTX’s amazing corruption – political donation and influence are tools of manipulation, not engagement.
This is not a slippery slope. We’ve already swiped.
Cypherpunkism is more than just aesthetics or ideology. It is a commitment to establish a commitment to make centralized power obsolete (rather than tolerant or negotiate but irrelevant). It’s about building tools that empower individuals, protect privacy and promote more open and resilient societies.
Crypto founders, investors and institutions need to revisit these root causes. The purpose of blockchain is not to replicate traditional systems at politicized military gatherings, rather than fundamentally changing how these systems work. Creating financial freedom, privacy and open access is not a privilege, but a future of default.
Yes, we have to interact with regulators. Yes, we have to work within the legal framework. But that’s a far cry from being their cheerleader. There is a difference between a navigation system and being consumed by it. There is a difference between playing a game and why you join the game first.
We owe it to the movement and ourselves – remember why cryptocurrencies exist. It is not about appeaseing the government, but about taking responsibility. It is not about winning political favor, but about making this favor unnecessary. It’s not about building a brand, it’s about building freedom.
The real Cypherpunk is still there. But it’s time for us to hear the sound again.
