The passionate communities of the crypto space are one of its shining lights – but coupled with that passion is often a faultlessly loyal, one-above-all mindset. Rob explains how fervor doesn’t have to, and cannot, equal division.
Crypto has one of the most impassioned and warm communities ever seen. It is, of course, home to some miscreants and beacons of hostility, but for the most part, it is welcoming and positive. It’s refreshing, really, in a time where it feels as if toxicity has engulfed much of the internet.
That said, crypto is not without its flaws, and one is based in the very community held in such high regard. It’s a breed of linear thinking that, if not corrected, will weigh down on the industry’s progress, hamstringing innovation. This is the issue of crypto tribalism.
This is a subject that has been soapboxed for four years on a monthly basis, in articles, on podcasts, and in private discussions. It’s a blight that too many people inflict upon themselves, and its damage is far-reaching.
Key Takeaways
- Crypto tribalism limits innovation – Blind loyalty to one blockchain slows industry progress.
- Interoperability is the future – Blockchains collaborating can unlock greater potential.
- Multi-chain adoption benefits everyone – Supporting multiple networks fosters growth and accessibility.
- Merit over loyalty – Projects should be valued for their utility, not just community bias.
Multi-Chain Support Is Not Cognitive Dissonance
In 2018, the first investments in blockchain were made—one in Enjin and one in WAX.
These two chains are considered competitors, and many investors, influential community members, and even the occasional employee will throw stones at whichever of the two they aren’t invested in.
Both chains are pioneering, early developers of gaming-centric blockchains. That is, they share broadly the same vision: blockchain can and will revolutionize gaming.
A conversation once took place with a senior figure at another blockchain—a top 100 coin, though it won’t be named. While discussing exciting future developments, another chain’s achievements were mentioned in passing. The response was immediate and dismissive; the chain in question was described as far inferior.
Is it? The topic was gently pushed further, supporting the argument, to which the senior figure admitted, “To be honest, I don’t know anything about them.”
Here lies the problem. Someone highly experienced in the space, passionate about blockchain’s role in a better future, displayed tunnel vision—for what? Loyalty? Imagine the opportunities missed with this kind of crypto tribalism. Imagine the inaccuracies in self-reflection. “I am the most attractive man on earth if I never look at another human.”
It’s understandable why rivalry forms. McDonald’s and Burger King’s board members are unlikely to go on team-building holidays together. Competition is inevitable, and McDonald’s success leads to Burger King’s strife.
But this isn’t about opposing companies battling over the same piece of the pie. Two blockchains with similar aspirations can happily coexist and enrich each other’s ecosystems through collaboration rather than diminish them.
Not only can they enrich each other, but they ought to—collaboration will be central to much of the crypto world, NFTs, and blockchain gaming in particular, going forward.
Blockchain Interoperability Will Be Foundational to the Space
In 2021, the blockchain gaming space changed significantly. For the first time, it came to the forefront and garnered the attention of major studios and mainstream media.
As the year progressed, “interoperability” became a buzzword. This refers to the ability of a blockchain to interact with one or more other blockchains, typically through bridges or similar means.
In fact, many NFT collections and blockchain games have started broadening their scopes. Some of the leading games of 2021 illustrate this well:
- Splinterlands operates on WAX and Hive.
- Crazy Defense Heroes runs on Ethereum and Polygon.
- DeFi Kingdoms spans Harmony and AVAX.
- Alien Worlds utilizes WAX and Binance Smart Chain (BSC).
The last example, Alien Worlds, integrates both WAX and BSC, in part due to the bridge built between the two and the strong relationship between these chains.
This relationship could have raised eyebrows, given that WAX and BSC have been the two primary chains battling for dominance on DappRadar’s gaming charts. Instead, they announced a portal between them, and a cross-chain game, Blockchain Brawlers, launched on March 30, 2022.
This kind of collaboration between chains must be encouraged, and crypto tribalism is entirely counterproductive. Blockchain games stand to gain a lot from multiple chains, particularly by opening projects up to a larger potential player base. However, this problem begins to solve itself when crypto tribalism is removed.
Blockchains should focus on their niche, their products, and their contributions to the space. Trying to fence themselves off from the wider crypto community is short-sighted.
The Community’s Role Going Forward
When it comes to NFTs and blockchain games, maximalism doesn’t make much sense.
For digital currency, one could argue that Bitcoin maximalism is a valid stance. However, when considering the vast range of blockchain applications beyond currency, widespread innovation is essential.
The belief that only one blockchain should dominate gaming is flawed in several ways, from current technological limitations to psychological factors. While “one chain to rule them all” might sound ideal in theory, it is highly unlikely—and likely undesirable as well.
If capitalism has taught anything, it’s that monopolies are rarely in the best interests of the end user.
As a community, passionate and enthused as it may be, it’s time to move beyond the “my chain’s going to the moon, your chain’s a scam” mindset.
Diversifying interest and support, exploring multiple chains, and adopting a chain-agnostic approach are crucial. Networks should be backed based on merit rather than blind loyalty or early investments.
The crypto industry is still in its early stages. This is a pivotal moment where the community can either serve as a positive force for growth or act as an anchor holding back progress due to outdated crypto tribalism.
FAQs
What is crypto tribalism?
Crypto tribalism refers to the strong loyalty some blockchain communities have toward a specific project, often leading to hostility toward competing blockchains.
Why is crypto tribalism a problem?
It limits collaboration, innovation, and interoperability between blockchains. Instead of working together, communities engage in rivalry, slowing industry progress.
How does interoperability benefit blockchain projects?
Interoperability allows blockchains to interact, share resources, and expand their ecosystems, making blockchain gaming, NFTs, and DeFi more accessible.
Can multiple blockchains coexist successfully?
Yes, blockchains can complement each other by focusing on their unique strengths rather than competing. Collaboration can drive innovation and adoption.
Professional wordsmith, blockchain gaming zealot and petrolhead.