The thoughts behind the blockchain industry

Ferdinand
4 min readSep 7, 2023

--

I’ve been in the blockchain industry for 5 years now when a friend told me about Bitcoin and the profit he’d made from it. Like most of you reading this article, I first tried to make money just like him, but it turned out differently, I lost a lot. I was curious to find out more about my loss, which led me a long way because today I work as a blockchain developer. So, give me 5 minutes to tell you what I think of this industry, the kinds of people who are hiding behind it, the things I think are wrong and the things I think are getting better and better.

First, let me start by saying that this industry is full of greedy people, 90% of the people you’ll come across are in it only for profit. The digital gold rush has attracted opportunists, seeking to ride the technological wave without truly embracing the underlying philosophy of blockchain.

The Dual Nature of Blockchain

Blockchain, in many ways, embodies a dual nature. On one hand, it promises decentralization, autonomy, and transparency — ideals that, for many of us, epitomize progress and democratization. On the other hand, it lures speculators in search of quick gains, often disregarding the fundamental principles that fueled its creation. This duality is perhaps one of the most intriguing and controversial features of the industry.

The Pursuit of Profit

It’s undeniable that the pursuit of profit has permeated many facets of the blockchain industry. Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) were inundated with dubious projects seeking to raise funds without a solid product or long-term vision. Cryptocurrency markets, often volatile and speculative with many shitcoins , have fueled the appetite for rapid wealth accumulation. This speculative frenzy has at times overshadowed the true technological innovation that blockchain represents.

The Four Faces of Blockchain

In the intricate landscape of the blockchain industry, we encounter a fascinating array of individuals, each with their unique role in shaping this digital frontier. I’ve identified four distinctive profiles that encapsulate the essence of this dynamic ecosystem. I call them : 1.The Geniuses, 2.The Imitators, 3.The Scammers, 4.The Evangelists

1. The Geniuses :

Imagine them as the architects of a new city, always creating innovative structures and designs. These individuals are the “Visionary Architects” of the blockchain world. They continuously invent new technologies. However, here’s the catch — sometimes, their creations serve no purpose beyond the blockchain industry itself. They might create multiple blockchains when one would suffice, similar to building countless skyscrapers in a city with very few residents.

2. The Imitators

Next, we have what i call the “Imitators.” These are the followers of the Visionary Architects. They try to replicate what these visionaries create, either by copying their work or by developing alternative solutions. Think of them as those who build similar skyscrapers next to the ones the geniuses architects constructed, hoping to attract residents.

3. The Scammers

Among them are the “Scammers,” who are probably the smartest, they’ll do everything they can to rip you off. They operate like crafty con artists, constantly coming up with new schemes to deceive unsuspecting people in blockchain space. Their actions tarnish the industry’s reputation and make it harder for genuine projects to thrive.

4. The Evangelists

Finally, we have the “Enthusiastic Evangelists.” These individuals are head over heels in love with blockchain technology. They strive to bring as many people as possible into the blockchain world by creating exceptional use cases. They are like the friendly neighbors in our city analogy, eager to welcome newcomers and showcase the city’s potential.

If you’re familiar with the world of blockchain, do you fall into one of these 4 profile types ? If not, there’s no problem, just know that you’re the main subject of this article and that you don’t give a damn about this industry but are only here to make money, which is completely understandable.

All the 3 profiles mentioned, apart from the geniuses, are there for profit, especially the imitators and scammers, the evangelists a little less so but still.

The challenge in the blockchain industry lies in the disproportionate number of geniuses compared to Enthusiastic Evangelists. This results in an excess of blockchains networks, sub-networks, and protocols. Picture it as a city built with magnificent architecture but lacking residents. The geniuses spend their time trying to construct a perfect country with flawless architecture, even though the country has barely any inhabitants.

To truly become mainstream industry, blockchain needs not just brilliant geniuses architects but also community builders like evangelists who can fill the city with life.

In essence, the blockchain world is like a city under construction, with various characters contributing to its development. While there may be too many architects and not enough residents, the hope is that, over time, the city will become a vibrant and thriving place for all. Whether you’re here for innovation, replication, or simply to profit, remember that collectively, we can build a blockchain world that’s more than just a landscape of technology — it’s a community waiting to flourish.

--

--

Ferdinand

Blockchain Enginner, @chainlink expert dev ( volunteering ). You should take a look at @Subsprotocol.