In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, there's a persistent myth that floats around like a stubborn meme coin: building a successful business in crypto is somehow easier than in the traditional Web2 landscape. You know the pitch—decentralization, viral token launches, and community hype will magically propel your project to moonshot status with users flocking in droves, transactions soaring, and profits raining down. But as MR SHIFT recently pointed out in a candid X post, that's just not the reality.
It is not easier to build a successful business / network with tons of users, value transacted, revenue or profits in crypto than in Web2
But for some reasons people have been believing it is for a long time
This blunt observation from the host of the "When Shift Happens" podcast—a show that dives deep into Bitcoin and crypto with industry heavyweights—cuts right through the noise. MR SHIFT's words are a wake-up call for aspiring blockchain builders, reminding us that the fundamentals of business don't vanish just because you're on a decentralized ledger.
Think about it: In Web2, giants like Facebook or Amazon didn't become behemoths overnight. They poured years into user acquisition, ironing out UX kinks, scaling infrastructure, and monetizing at just the right moment. Crypto? It's the same grind, often amplified by wild market volatility, regulatory gray areas, and the relentless scrutiny of a global, always-online community. Sure, tokens can create aligned incentives that Web2 envies, but they also invite pump-and-dump schemes, rug pulls, and endless FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) cycles that can tank even the most promising projects.
Take meme tokens, for instance—the darlings of our corner at Meme Insider. We've seen countless Solana-based memes like $DOG or $PEPE explode on hype alone, drawing millions in trading volume. But how many survive the bear market winter? Very few. The ones that do? They're the exceptions that prove the rule: behind the viral tweets and Telegram pumps lies a team executing like pros—building real utility, fostering genuine communities, and navigating compliance hurdles that would make any Web2 founder sweat.
MR SHIFT's post sparked a quick reply from FastBuckz, who nailed it: "Crypto just changes the rails and incentives, not the fundamentals. User growth, liquidity, and real value still require the same grind as Web2, sometimes even more." Spot on. Those "rails" might be Ethereum's smart contracts or Bitcoin's lightning-fast layers, but the track still needs to be laid brick by brick.
So, if you're a blockchain practitioner eyeing your next venture—whether it's a DeFi protocol, an NFT marketplace, or yes, even a meme token with legs—don't buy into the shortcut fantasy. Instead, channel that energy into:
- Audience First: Build for users who stick around, not just speculators chasing the next 10x.
- Sustainable Value: Focus on revenue models that outlast the hype, like staking rewards tied to actual utility or partnerships with legacy finance.
- Resilience Training: Prep for the crypto winters; they're longer and colder than Web2 recessions.
At Meme Insider, we're all about demystifying this space, from the latest meme token drops to deep dives on blockchain tech. If MR SHIFT's take resonates, it's because it's the truth we've seen play out time and again. Crypto isn't a cheat code—it's a new arena for the same timeless game of innovation and perseverance.
What do you think? Is Web3's promise overblown, or does it still hold an edge? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more unfiltered insights to level up your crypto game.