Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko has triggered a wave of backlash across crypto Twitter after stating that “communities are useless,” igniting a heated debate over the role of grassroots movements in Web3 ecosystems.
Base and Solana Execs Clash Over the Value of Communities
The controversy began when Yakovenko responded to a post by X (Twitter) Head of Product Nikita Bier regarding a potential revamp of the platform. In his comment, Yakovenko dismissed the value of “communities,” which many interpreted as a slight not only against Twitter’s Communities feature but also against the broader concept of community-led crypto projects.
Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base and a leading executive at Coinbase, quickly pushed back on Yakovenko’s remarks. Pollak emphasized the importance of communities, especially in the context of meme coin projects, which rely heavily on grassroots support and active participation.
Pollak explained that communities are not only essential but must also be intentionally fostered. His statement was echoed by several users who found Yakovenko’s comment particularly ironic, given Solana’s recent growth fueled by its meme coin ecosystem.
Solana’s Meme Coin Ecosystem Shows Strong Community Conviction
Critics noted that Solana’s current on-chain activity is largely driven by meme coin traders and holders. One user remarked, “Why does Toly hate the only people propping up Solana’s price?”—a reference to the increasing influence of meme communities within the Solana network.
Data from Dune Analytics shows that 62.4% of SMTA (Solana Meme Token Analysis) token holders qualify as “Diamond Hands,” meaning they have held onto their tokens long-term despite price volatility. This level of conviction reflects a strong belief in the future of these community-driven assets.
Conversely, the remaining 37.6% of holders are seen as short-term traders. Despite recent price dips, long-term investors have continued accumulating tokens, with BeInCrypto reporting that Solana holders bought up $367 million worth of SOL in just one week.
Community Engagement as a Driving Force in Crypto Adoption
The backlash against Yakovenko highlights a larger theme within the crypto world: while technological innovation is important, community engagement often drives real-world adoption and retention. Developers and builders like Jesse Pollak view communities not as an optional add-on, but as essential infrastructure in the Web3 era.
“Literally every coin on Solana now uses communities instead of Telegram chats, Anatoly,” one user wrote, emphasizing the integration of grassroots groups into the Solana experience.
At a time when Solana is experiencing a surge in on-chain activity and long-term accumulation, critics argue that undermining the role of communities could alienate one of the chain’s strongest support systems.
As competition heats up among Layer 1 chains, the lesson is clear: tech alone is not enough. The heart of any blockchain is its community, and developers dismiss it at their own risk.
