Solana has released a promotional video for its “Solana Accelerate” conference. In this video, a character named “America” is in the middle of a therapy session, sharing his thoughts on innovation and cryptocurrencies. However, what seemed like a simple promotion quickly turned into a controversy due to the way gender issues were addressed. This negative reaction led to the immediate removal of the video. A look back at this communication error which shook the sector.
Solana: an advertisement widely criticized
The facts are indicative of the current climate. In this video, Solana seemed to suggest that gender issues were hindering innovation. However, it was precisely this advertisement that helped revive a social debate that, until then, was not supposed to be linked to the brand. Viewed by more than 1.2 million people, the video quickly attracted widespread criticism. And in a context where innovation issues collide with social questions, this advertisement has amplified the controversy.
The bad buzz around Solana: an immediate poor reception
Quickly after broadcast, those responsible for the project removed the video. Meanwhile, Adam Cochran, an industry influencer, noted on According to him, this reaction was motivated more by commercial considerations than by a real questioning of the content of the advertising. He also denounces a certain hypocrisy in the management of this crisis.
Critics have pointed out that Solana approached such a sensitive subject with an apparent lightness, even a discriminatory approach. Some have even accused the company of exploiting political issues to draw attention to its own interests, particularly at the expense of transgender people. This controversy indeed comes at a delicate time in the United States.
Unfortunate timing
The situation was all the more poorly perceived in the current political context, where the rights of transgender people are increasingly called into question. Sean O’Connor, director of operations at Blocknative, highlighted the problematic nature of this ad, particularly at a time when transgender people find themselves facing administrative obstacles, such as denial of gender recognition on passports.
Donald Trump’s recent reinstatement of executive orders revoking Joe Biden’s decisions on combating gender and sexual orientation discrimination has exacerbated this situation. In particular, the decision to recognize only two legal genders, male and female, by removing the “X” option on passports, makes the issue even more political and sensitive.
Criticisms that persist despite deletion
Despite the video’s quick removal, many say the damage has already been done. In a sector like that of cryptocurrencies, which is traditionally based on the phrase “It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s what you do that matters.”this controversy echoes frequent criticism regarding the lack of diversity and inclusiveness in the industry. Many users remind Solana of the importance of inclusiveness in open-source software development, particularly citing the significant contribution of transgender developers to cryptography, security, and intelligence projects.
A lesson for cryptocurrency businesses
This incident highlights a crucial aspect for businesses in the cryptocurrency ecosystem: before launching into messages that touch on sensitive topics, it is essential to think about the social and political implications. By opting for this controversial advertising spot, Solana risked tarnishing its image despite its desire to promote innovation.
It remains to be seen whether the company will learn from this episode to avoid repeating these kinds of mistakes in the future, or whether this incident will mark a turning point in the way cryptocurrency projects address such sensitive social issues.
