Solana has taken down its latest promotional video, “America is Back—Time to Accelerate,” following widespread criticism from the crypto community. The ad, which many found divisive and politically charged, sparked intense debate before its removal.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter), racked up over 1.4 million views within hours. However, backlash came swiftly, with critics calling it “cringe,” “offensive,” and “pandering.” A particular scene in the ad drew the most attention—where a young man in therapy for “rational thinking syndrome” stated, “I want to invent technologies, not gender.” Many saw this as a direct shot at gender diversity, leading to further controversy.
Crypto Community Reacts
Industry figures wasted no time in voicing their disappointment. Tyler Bench, CRO at Tally.xyz, called it “the single most toxic piece of content I have ever consumed.” Others, like Anneri van der Merwe from Base, criticized the video for failing to uphold crypto’s core values of inclusivity and neutrality.
Even within the Solana ecosystem, the reaction was mixed. Co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko distanced himself from the campaign, suggesting in a post that a previous Solana ad featuring crypto influencer Maren Altman was “better.”
Was This “Rage Bait” Marketing?
Some speculate the ad was an attempt at “rage bait,” a marketing tactic designed to stir controversy and drive engagement—even if it risks alienating potential users. Mentor Reka, CEO of Avnu.Fi, remarked, “They clearly went for attention over EVERYTHING, and well… mission accomplished, I guess.”
While the ad is gone, discussions around it remain, raising questions about the role of political messaging in the crypto industry. Will Solana’s next campaign take a different approach? Only time will tell.
