Solana Deletes Promotional Video Amid Community Outrage
Solana’s official X (formerly Twitter) account removed a promotional video for its upcoming conference after facing significant backlash over its messaging. The video, meant to highlight Solana’s role in permissionless technology, instead sparked controversy over gender-related themes, leading critics to label it “insensitive” and “anti-queer.”
The Controversial Content
The ad featured a character named “America” undergoing “therapy for rational thinking syndrome”, with a therapist pressuring them to “come up with a new gender” or “focus on pronouns” instead of technological innovation. The character then rejects the session, affirming a desire to lead in on-chain development rather than engage in identity politics.
The video, which was deleted within hours, continues to circulate online, with many criticizing Solana’s decision to make gender issues part of its marketing strategy.
Community Response and Industry Reactions
The ad was widely condemned by crypto leaders and investors. Cinneamhain Ventures’ Adam Cochran called it “a tone-deaf attempt at being edgy”, while David McIntyre, COO of DoubleZero and a former Solana Foundation director, described it as “horrendous.”
McIntyre argued that the campaign could have celebrated Solana’s achievements instead of making controversial social statements. Others pointed out that the ad conflicts with Solana’s own stated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Solana’s Conference and Broader Implications
The controversy overshadowed the purpose of the campaign: promoting Solana’s upcoming conference in New York this May. While Solana’s core technology remains strong, incidents like this highlight the delicate balance crypto brands must maintain in their marketing efforts.
Whether this misstep will impact Solana’s standing with developers and investors remains to be seen, but the incident serves as a reminder that messaging matters in crypto’s mainstream adoption.
