Optimist Prime@jinglejamOP
Is crypto dead? It feels dead.
It felt dead in 2014 when Mt. Gox happened and I was already the “weird bitcoin person” on campus. But it didn’t die, legit companies like Coinbase got formed.
It felt dead in 2017 after getting pilled on the world computer, only to see the most horrible scams as the first wave of adoption. But it didn’t die, it tripled the talent market in crypto.
It felt dead in 2021, because technology didn’t matter when the casino ruled all. But it didn’t die, it flooded the ecosystem with capital.
Now it’s 2025.
With every hype cycle there’s been a comedown. It weeded people out, and provided the necessary focus to prepare the infrastructure for the next wave of adoption.
Global finance will settle on crypto rails. The world computer is effortlessly handling trillions in value and the OP Stack processes more than half a billion transactions every month.
I’ve returned to OP Labs as the CEO to take us into this new chapter. We have made a ton of changes - both bittersweet and exciting. For years, we've operated as a fragmented ecosystem, crippling our ability to move quickly. Now, we are re-unifying our GTM and Engineering teams under one roof. Our Foundation remains focused on decentralization.
And, after 3 years in Mexico City, my cofounders and I have finally returned to the US and we've opened up a new office in NYC.
We’re rounding out year 7 of scaling Ethereum. None of us are going anywhere. This isn’t the last storm we’ll weather, and we’re still fighting like hell.
And you know what, Crypto isn’t going anywhere. Stop taking so much adderall and buying extra strength Zyns, it’s making everything feel worse. Go to the gym, drink some water, and I’ll meet you back at the office.
We’ve been cooking & I can’t wait to share more with y’all.