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There is a lot of talk going on about Solana since a video promoting its upcoming Accelerate conference in New York came out.

The ad, which aired on March 17, was quickly taken down because it made fun of gender identity problems, sparking widespread criticism.

Ad Criticized For Insensitivity

The video depicted a character named “America” who was undergoing therapy; the character said he was having thoughts about “innovation.”

The therapist recommended that the subject concentrate on pronouns or the development of new genders rather than pursing technological innovation, like crypto, during the session.

“America” answered by stating a wish to “invent technologies, not genders.”

The look of disappointment from some individuals. Image: Gemini Imagen.

Critics have labeled the commercial as “offensive” and “tone-deaf,” some of which call it disrespectful to transgender and gender minorities.

Took them 9 hours to delete it.

Also all the major players in the Solana ecosystem suddenly delete their tweets promoting/supporting the ad and RT’d and liked takes about it being bad.

They approved this, supported it and celebrated it.

They rolled it back because it hurt… pic.twitter.com/kPMERDpTcn

— Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) (@adamscochran) March 18, 2025

Corporate executives voiced their criticism. Former Solana Foundation director David McIntyre argued that while Adam Cochran of Cinneamhain Ventures called the advertising “justly absurd,” the platform should have given positive messaging top priority over mocking important societal issues.

Sean O’Connor, operating chief at Web3 infrastructure firm Blocknative, did not mince words and unloaded an explicit message on X:

hey @solana – for real?

at a time when trans people are getting denied passports and being erased by the government… this is the ad you put out?

this is so fucking tone deaf https://t.co/p2hF5jIb9c

— sean o’connor | gas network ⛽ (@aseoconnor) March 17, 2025

Controversy Casts Doubt On Solana’s Values

The controversy has prompted inquiries regarding Solana’s ability to adhere to its stated principles. Just weeks prior, the Solana Foundation underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion at a conference in Singapore.

SOL market cap currently at $63 billion. Chart: TradingView.com

Its code of conduct explicitly safeguarded participants from harassment based on gender identity and expression. Currently, observers are debating whether the advertisement represents a strategic transition or an isolated gaffe by the organization.

Solana has not yet issued an official statement that elucidates the reason for the video’s removal. Critics contend that the decision to eliminate it was reactive rather than indicative of ethical reflection.

I deleted my initial take on the Solana ad today after some reflection.

At first I liked the ad because it struck a chord with me. I believe a whole generation of people was taught to focus on zero sum oppressor oppressed world views rather than positive sum techno…

— Tushar Jain (@TusharJain_) March 18, 2025

Industry Leaders Withdraw Their Support

Subsequently, certain initial supporters of the advertisement withdrew their endorsements. Initially, Tushar Jain, co-founder of Multicoin Capital, commended the video as “bold.” However, he later deleted his post and acknowledged that it alienated certain members of the community.

This incident underscores the increasing tensions within the crypto industry regarding political messaging and cultural commentary.

Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView

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Pi Network price slipped about 17% today, indicating a waning risk-bet appetite of the investors. Despite the buzz around the coin, the crypto has recorded significant losses lately, especially due to a lack of major announcements and updates regarding the token. Amid this, a Pi Coin enthusiast has revealed key reasons that might have triggered the recent selloff in the market.

Pi Network Price Slips 17%

Pi Network was one of the top laggards in the crypto market today, sparking concerns among traders. Pi Coin value was down more than 17% and exchanged hands at $1.16, while its one-day trading volume rose 54% to $551 million.

Notably, the latest loss comes as a huge Pi token unlock looms. For context, the unlock eventually increases the supply, causing pressure on the price. Besides, it has dampened the traders’ sentiment, resulting in the recent decline in the value.

Pi Coin Faces Major Selloff Amid Investor Concerns

Pi Coin’s recent price plunge has left many investors questioning the project’s long-term viability. Enthusiasts note that the drop directly correlates with declining public sentiment. One of the key triggers was Pi’s failure to secure a Binance listing, despite 86% of its community voting in favor.

This rejection has shaken investor confidence, further pressuring the token. Adding to the concerns, the Pi Core Team failed to deliver any groundbreaking updates on Pi Day, a crucial event for the community.

Many early miners, who have supported the project for years, are now openly criticizing the team for the lack of visible progress. With the project in development for six years, frustrations are mounting as expectations remain unfulfilled.

Lack of Development Roadmap Raises Red Flags

A major complaint among Pi Coin investors is the absence of a clear roadmap for the Open Mainnet launch. Unlike other crypto projects that provide transparent timelines, Pi Network has remained vague about its future developments. This uncertainty has led to growing skepticism, with some fearing that the project may never reach full decentralization.

In a recent social media post, Pi enthusiast Dr Altcoin pointed out that the crypto’s ranking has fallen to #13, with its price dropping below $1.30. He emphasized that the declining value reflects the community’s disappointment in the project’s progress. Without a roadmap, investors remain hesitant, leading to increased sell-offs.

Community Demands Transparency & Progress

The Pi Network community is calling for immediate action from the core team. Investors believe that for Pi Network price to regain momentum, the team must address the lack of trust by:

• Releasing a clear Open Mainnet roadmap.
• Launching the long-awaited 100 decentralized applications (DApps).
• Disclosing key investors and partnerships.

According to Dr Altcoin, these steps are crucial in restoring faith in the project and preventing further price declines. Without transparency and real progress, Pi Coin risks losing more support. However, a recent Pi price analysis hints at a 3X rally if Binance lists the token on its platform.

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Rupam Roy

Rupam is a seasoned professional with three years of experience in the financial market, where he has developed a reputation as a meticulous research analyst and insightful journalist. He thrives on exploring the dynamic nuances of the financial landscape. Currently serving as a sub-editor at Coingape, Rupam’s expertise extends beyond conventional boundaries. His role involves breaking stories, analyzing AI-related developments, providing real-time updates on the crypto market, and presenting insightful economic news.
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