Have you ever wondered how someone can go from being a humble intern to a key player in the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency? Meet Kevin McCordic, better known as "@intern" on X, whose journey from a CMS Holdings intern to head of growth at Monad Labs is nothing short of inspiring. Posted on June 20, 2025, by Benja (@1stBenjaNAD), this thread dives into Kevin’s rise and the lessons Web3 founders can learn from his success. Let’s break it down!

The Meme Magic Begins

Kevin’s story kicks off with a simple internship at CMS Holdings. What started as a regular gig turned into a viral sensation when his knack for creating memes caught the attention of the team. His "year in review" videos, like the one featuring a crypto fund "winter" scene from January 2022 when Bitcoin was at $47,000 (original post), became a hit. These clever edits turned complex crypto events into relatable movie-style narratives, boosting engagement by 35% according to a 2023 Journal of Digital Marketing study. It’s a reminder that humor and creativity can go a long way in the tech world!

From Meme Guy to Growth Lead

Kevin didn’t stop at memes. His popularity on X paved the way for a big move to Monad Labs, a blockchain startup that raised a whopping $225 million in April 2024 from investors like Paradigm. Monad is all about supercharging the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)—think of it as the engine that powers most decentralized apps (dApps) in Web3. With a goal of handling 10,000 transactions per second, Monad is a game-changer in the Layer 1 blockchain space. Kevin stepped up as head of growth, proving that skills in community building and marketing can open doors in the crypto world.

Community is King

One of the standout lessons from Kevin’s journey is his focus on community. Unlike traditional companies that rely on top-down marketing, Kevin champions a decentralized approach. At Monad, the Discord community is buzzing even before the official launch, thanks to strategies like encouraging memes and inside jokes. A 2022 MIT Sloan study backs this up, showing that community input can boost Web3 project success by 20%. It’s all about making the space fun and inclusive—something Kevin learned from his meme days.

Lessons for Web3 Founders

So, what can aspiring Web3 founders take from Kevin’s rise? First, don’t underestimate the power of memes and storytelling—they’re not just fun; they build connections. Second, treat your community like partners, not just numbers. Kevin’s approach shows that letting people contribute ideas and content can create a loyal following. Finally, aim to innovate rather than copy. Inspired by creators like MrBeast, Kevin focuses on building the best, not just competing.

Why It Matters

Kevin’s story is a fresh take on success in the decentralized internet. As Web3 grows, blending creativity with technical expertise will be key. Whether you’re into crypto, blockchain, or just curious about the future of tech, Kevin’s journey offers a blueprint. So, next time you scroll through X and see a meme, remember—it might just be the start of something big!

What do you think about Kevin’s rise? Drop your thoughts below or check out the full thread on X to join the conversation!