Solana has removed a promotional video for its upcoming conference after receiving widespread criticism from the crypto community. The now deleted ad which featured political undertones and references to gender identity continues to circulate on social media, propelling debate over the blockchain’s marketing approach.
Posted on March 18, the video featured an individual named “America” undergoing therapy for “rational thinking syndrome.” In the clip, the character is encouraged to focus on pronouns and gender identity instead of technological advancement. The ad concluded with the individual rejecting this notion, stating, “I want to invent technologies, not genders.”
Many in the crypto space saw the ad as an attempt at political messaging, with critics calling it divisive and insensitive. Adam Cochran, partner at Cinneamhain Ventures, described it as “a weird circlejerk from Silicon Valley.” Meanwhile, David McIntyre, former director of the Solana Foundation, labeled it “horrendous,” arguing that it contradicted the blockchain’s stated values of diversity and inclusion.
Solana’s Response and Fallout
Despite quickly removing the video, Solana has not issued an official statement on the matter. Some speculate that the ad was an intentional form of “rage bait,” designed to generate controversy and engagement. Others argue that it reflects an increasing trend of political messaging within the crypto space.
Even Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko distanced himself from the campaign, suggesting that a previous marketing effort, the “Maren ad,” was a better approach. Some in the community defended the ad, arguing that crypto should embrace all viewpoints, while others warned that aligning with political narratives could alienate users and investors.
Solana’s marketing misstep comes at a time when the blockchain is already navigating challenges. The recent decline in memecoin trading—once a major revenue driver—has led to falling transaction fees. Additionally, its memecoin market, which at its peak accounted for 80% of network revenue, has seen a sharp decline in volume, with leading launchpad Pump.fun seeing daily revenue drop from $15 million in January to under $1 million in March.
