Internet Explorers

The crypto industry got a serious vibe check this week—and it feels like we’re hitting an inflection point. Solana’s latest ad campaign sparked a massive backlash, raising questions about the values shaping the space. Was it just a misfire, or does it signal a deeper cultural shift? At the same time, outdated token models are finally being called out as the industry moves past high-FDV, low-float launches that leave investors holding the bag.

We also dive into the rise of stablecoins in fintech, how Privy is making crypto onboarding seamless, and why crypto’s UX problem is solved—even though funding wallets is still a nightmare. Plus, Disney hires a crypto OG, vanity metrics are finally getting exposed, and we debate whether token launches are evolving or just recycling the same old grifts. If you want to know where crypto is actually headed beyond the hype, this episode is for you.

This episode unpacks:
* Solana’s ad backlash—cringe marketing or a deeper shift?
* Why fintech giants are moving to stablecoins
* How Privy is fixing onboarding and wallet UX
* The end of high-FDV, low-float tokenomics
* Why vanity metrics no longer fool anyone
* Fat apps vs. infrastructure—who really wins?
* Disney’s Crypto hire—real move or PR stunt?
* Airdrops as tax burdens, not free money
* Pump, Rainbow, and the future of token launches
* What crypto must believe in to move forward

Chapters:
0:00 — Intro: Crypto's promise of hope and abundance
5:54 — Solana ad controversy and community response
12:00 — Privy's $15 million raise and crypto onboarding
19:28 — Challenges in getting assets into wallets
26:53 — Shift towards earning tokens and social context
32:43 — Token models: Issues and potential solutions
44:48 — Rethinking token launches and distribution methods
55:54 — Bobby Hundreds joins Disney as VP
59:57 — Pump and Rainbow: New token launch platforms
1:02:51 — NYSE's brand promise and crypto's potential
1:04:48 — Outro: Upcoming topics and newsletter recommendations

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer Internet experiences.

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