Don't Lose Heart in Crypto, Be a Pragmatic Optimist

marsbitPublished on 2025-12-11Last updated on 2025-12-11

Abstract

Nic Carter, co-founder of Castle Island Ventures, responds to Ken Chan’s pessimistic essay “I Wasted 8 Years of My Life in Crypto” by arguing for a pragmatic and optimistic outlook on the crypto industry. While acknowledging that Chan’s critique—that crypto has devolved into a massive speculative casino rather than a decentralized financial system—contains truth, Carter contends that the industry still holds meaningful purpose. Carter identifies five core visions driving crypto: restoring sound money (e.g., Bitcoin as a global monetary asset), encoding business logic via smart contracts, making digital property real (e.g., NFTs and Web3), improving capital market efficiency, and expanding global financial inclusion. He admits that many early idealistic expectations—such as hyperbitcoinization or revolutionary digital ownership—have not materialized, and that much of the current activity involves speculation, memecoins, and gambling. However, Carter advocates for “pragmatic optimism.” He argues that speculative excess and financial nihilism are unfortunate but inevitable byproducts of building permissionless, open financial infrastructure. The key is to focus on the real, albeit gradual, progress: Bitcoin’s adoption, functional stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, and improved financial access in developing regions—without succumbing to either utopian fantasies or cynical despair.

Author: Nic Carter, Co-founder of Castle Island Ventures

Compiled by: Felix, PANews

Ken Chan, co-founder of Aevo, recently published an article stating that he wasted 8 years of his life in the crypto industry. Ken Chan believes that the crypto industry has deviated from its original intention of "decentralized finance" and has evolved into the largest and most widely participated speculative and gambling system in human history. This pessimistic view has sparked heated discussions in the crypto community. Nic Carter, co-founder of Castle Island Ventures, also published an article to participate in the discussion. The full text is as follows.

No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (Note: the personification of wealth in religious legends). —Matthew

Ken Chang recently published an article titled "I Wasted 8 Years of My Life in Cryptocurrency," lamenting that the industry seems inherently characterized by capital consumption and financial nihilism.

People in the crypto circle love to mock such "rage quit" articles, gleefully recalling how historical figures like Mike Hearn and Jeff Garzik made grand exits back in the day, and then smugly pointing out how much Bitcoin has risen since they left.

But Ken's article is mostly correct. He said:

"Cryptocurrency claimed to decentralize the financial system, and I fully believed it at first, but the reality is, it's just a super speculative and gambling system, essentially just a mirror of the current economy. The truth hit me like a damn truck: I wasn't building a new financial system at all, I built a casino. A casino that refuses to admit it's a casino, yet it's the largest, 24/7, multi-player casino ever created by our generation."

Ken points out that VCs burned tens of billions of dollars supporting countless new L1s, and we clearly don't need that many. This is indeed correct, although he slightly distorts the incentive model (VCs are just conduits for capital). He also decries the proliferation of perpetual contracts, spot DEXs, prediction markets, and meme coin launch platforms. Admittedly, while you can defend these concepts on an abstract level (except for meme coin launch platforms, which are utterly indefensible), it's undeniable that they proliferate simply because the market has incentives and VCs are willing to invest.

Ken says he entered the crypto space full of idealism. Everyone should be very familiar with this: he had Randian libertarian leanings. But instead of practicing libertarianism, he built a casino. Specifically, he is best known for his involvement in developing Ribbon Finance, a protocol that allows users to deposit assets into vaults and earn yield by systematically selling options.

I don't want to be too harsh personally, but that's the fact. If it were me, I would also engage in some deep reflection. As the conflict between principle and practice became increasingly unbearable, Ken ultimately pessimistically realized: cryptocurrency is a casino, not a revolution.

When reading Ken's article, what struck me most was how it reminded me of Mike Hearn's famous exit宣言 almost 10 years ago. Hearn wrote:

Why did Bitcoin fail? It's because the community failed. What was supposed to be a new decentralized currency, without 'systemically important institutions' and 'too big to fail' entities, has become something worse: a system entirely controlled by a handful of people. Worse still, the network is on the verge of technical collapse. The mechanisms that were supposed to prevent this outcome have failed, so there's little reason left to believe Bitcoin can be any better than the existing financial system.

The details differ, but the argument is the same. Bitcoin/cryptocurrency was supposed to be one thing (decentralized, cypherpunk practice), but it turned into another (casino, centralized). Both Hearn and Chang believe: it ultimately isn't any better than the existing financial system.

Their arguments boil down to one sentence: cryptocurrency started out meaning one thing, but then it became something else. So we are stuck in a debate about the "teleology" of cryptocurrency—what is its purpose?

The Five Purposes of Cryptocurrency

In my personal view, there are roughly five camps, and they are not entirely mutually exclusive. For example, I most identify with the first and fifth, but I also have some sympathy for the others. However, I am not a die-hard adherent to any single one, not even the most hardcore Bitcoin camp.

1. Restoring Sound Money

This was the shared dream of the early majority of Bitcoin supporters, though not all agree. The idea is that over time, Bitcoin will pose a competitive threat to the monetary privileges of many countries, potentially even replacing their currencies, returning to an arrangement similar to a new gold standard. People in this group often believe everything else happening in crypto is a distracting scam riding Bitcoin's coattails. Bitcoin has made limited progress at the sovereign level, but it's quite an achievement to become a significant monetary asset in just 15 years. Bitcoiners holding this view are always in a state of intertwined disillusionment and hope, anticipating Bitcoin's full adoption is just around the corner.

2. Encoding Business Logic into Smart Contracts

This is the view most promoted by Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum supporters: since money can be digitized, so can various transactions and contracts be written as code, making the world more efficient and fair. This was initially heresy to Bitcoin proponents. But it has succeeded in some narrow areas, especially contracts easily expressed mathematically, like derivatives.

3. Making Digital Property "Real"

I think this is the best summary of the "Web3" or "Read Write Own" idea: digital property should be as real as physical property. The idea itself has value, but its implementation (NFTs, Web3 social) has either gone completely astray or is too ahead of its time. Despite billions poured into it, few defend it today. But I still think the idea has merit. Most problems on the internet today stem from not truly owning your own web space and not having real control over who you interact with or who sees your content. I believe we will eventually reclaim control over our online assets, and this will likely involve blockchains. It's just that the time for this idea hasn't matured yet.

4. Making Capital Markets More Efficient

This is the least ideological of the five. You'd be hard-pressed to find many people truly particularly interested in securities settlement, COBOL, SWIFT, or bank wire windows. But this实实在在 supports a large part of the crypto industry's value. The core idea is: the Western financial system is built on outdated technology that is extremely difficult to update due to path dependency (you can't just tear down and rebuild core infrastructure handling trillions in daily settlements). This update must come from outside the system and adopt a completely new architecture. The value here is mainly体现在 in efficiency gains and possible consumer surplus, so it's not particularly exciting.

5. Expanding Financial Accessibility Globally

Finally, there are the compassionate ones who see cryptocurrency as an inclusive technology, enabling people in less developed countries to use low-cost financial infrastructure for the first time: allowing them to self-custody crypto assets or stablecoins, buy tokenized stocks or money market funds, get a card based on a crypto wallet or exchange account, and be treated as equals on the financial internet. This is a very real phenomenon and provides motivation for many idealists whose enthusiasm is waning to keep going.

Pragmatic Optimism

So who is right? The idealists, or the cynics? Or some unknown third answer?

I could go on at length about how bubbles always accompany major technological changes, how bubbles actually facilitate useful infrastructure construction, and why cryptocurrency is especially filled with speculation because it is inherently a financial technology, but this is mostly just self-consolation.

The real answer is: maintaining pragmatic optimism is the correct attitude. Whenever you feel extremely pessimistic about the "crypto casino," hold firmly to this attitude. Speculation, mania, and predation should be understood as inevitable, unpleasant externalities in the process of building useful infrastructure. It does bring very real negative effects, which I don't want to downplay. The normalization of meme coins, mindless gambling, and financial nihilism among young people is depressing and socially harmful. But this is an inevitable side effect of building permissionless capital markets. This situation wouldn't happen without blockchains. You just have to accept this as a negative consequence of how blockchains operate. You don't have to participate in it.

To summarize here, cryptocurrency has its purposes, and it's completely fine to be idealistic about it. There is a force激励着成千上万的人 to dedicate their careers to this industry.

It's just that this purpose might not be as exciting as you imagined.

The world will most likely not experience "hyperbitcoinization." NFTs haven't revolutionized digital ownership. Capital markets are moving on-chain, but progress is slow. Not much has been truly tokenized besides the dollar. No authoritarian regime has been overthrown by ordinary people carrying crypto wallets. Smart contracts mostly only involve derivatives, nothing else. The applications that currently have true product-market fit are limited to Bitcoin, stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, and prediction markets. And, most of the value created will likely be captured by large companies or returned to consumers in the form of efficiency gains and cost savings.

So the real challenge is: maintaining a down-to-earth, reality-based optimism, rather than indulging in blind fantasy. If you believe in a Randian libertarian utopia, the gap between expectation and reality will eventually break you. As for the casino-like mechanisms, unrestrained token issuance, and疯狂投机行为, they should be seen as unpleasant flaws of the industry, yet difficult to eradicate. If you believe that the costs brought by introducing blockchains to the world outweigh the benefits, you have every reason to be disappointed. But in my personal view, the situation is actually better than ever. We have more evidence than ever that we are on the right path. Just don't forget the original intention.

Related reading: Nihilism and Vicious Cycles, Why Should We Oppose Over-Financialization?

Related Questions

QWhat are the five main purposes of cryptocurrency as outlined by Nic Carter in the article?

AThe five main purposes are: 1. Restoring sound money, 2. Encoding business logic into smart contracts, 3. Making digital property 'real', 4. Making capital markets more efficient, and 5. Expanding financial accessibility globally.

QAccording to the author, what is the 'pragmatic optimism' one should adopt towards the crypto industry?

APragmatic optimism is the attitude of acknowledging that speculation, manias, and predation are inevitable and unpleasant externalities in the process of building useful infrastructure. One should remain grounded in realistic possibilities rather than blind fantasies, accepting the negative side effects as part of how blockchains operate without necessarily participating in them.

QWhat was the core complaint in Ken Chan's article 'I Wasted 8 Years of My Life in Cryptocurrency'?

AKen Chan's core complaint was that the crypto industry has deviated from its original purpose of 'decentralized finance' and has become the largest, most widely participated speculative and gambling system in human history, essentially building a casino that refuses to admit it is one.

QHow does the author, Nic Carter, respond to the criticism that crypto is just a casino?

ANic Carter acknowledges that much of the criticism is valid and that the industry is indeed filled with speculation. However, he argues that this is an inevitable byproduct of building permissionless capital markets and that one should focus on the useful infrastructure being built, adopting a stance of pragmatic optimism.

QWhat historical example does the author use to parallel Ken Chan's disillusionment with crypto?

AThe author draws a parallel to Mike Hearn's famous exit declaration from roughly 10 years ago, where Hearn similarly argued that Bitcoin had failed because the community failed, and it had become a system controlled by a few people rather than a new decentralized currency.

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2.5k Total ViewsPublished 2025.12.05Updated 2025.12.05

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Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo): A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-World Asset Tokenization in Web3 This article delves into the Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), recognised by its ticker symbol $SHOPON, exploring its implications at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology. As a part of Ondo Finance's tokenized securities platform, Shopify’s tokenized stock exemplifies advancements in democratizing access to global capital markets through innovative digital assets. Introduction and Overview of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo) Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), or $SHOPON, portrays a pivotal innovation in the realm of tokenized securities, allowing investors to gain economic exposure akin to directly owning shares of Shopify Inc. This token, developed under the umbrella of Ondo Finance, not only provides investors with the ability to hold digital representations of the company’s stock but also integrates features such as automatic reinvestment of dividends. This advancement represents a substantial shift in the landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi), linking conventional equity markets with blockchain solutions designed to enhance accessibility, transparency, and liquidity. By eliminating geographical barriers and enabling 24/7 trading capabilities, $SHOPON is positioned as a bridge connecting traditional financial instruments and the emerging Web3 ecosystem. What is Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), $SHOPON? The $SHOPON token serves as a digital manifestation of Shopify Inc.'s shares, engineered to provide a direct correlation to the underlying asset's performance. Through the utilization of blockchain technology, the token gives holders a mechanism to participate in the economic benefits associated with equity ownership, including capital appreciation and dividend distribution. The unique aspect of $SHOPON lies in its automatic dividend reinvestment mechanism, which allows returns to compound without necessitating active management by the investor. This feature inherently enhances its attractiveness as an investment vehicle, particularly for individuals seeking passive income growth alongside exposure to high-performing equities. The tokenization process is facilitated by the custody of actual Shopify shares through regulated intermediaries, ensuring that every $SHOPON token is verifiably backed by real equity. This structure empowers investors with the dual advantages of both traditional financial characteristics and the innovative benefits tied to blockchain technology. Who is the Creator of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo)? The creator of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), Nathan Allman, is an experienced figure in the finance sector, formerly associated with Goldman Sachs. His rich background includes significant expertise in digital asset development, bridging the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies. Allman’s educational journey, marked by studies at Brown University, provided him with a deep understanding of economics and biology, equipping him with analytical skills that inform his strategic vision. In 2021, he founded Ondo Finance, committing to developing tokenized securities that meet institutional-grade standards while leveraging blockchain's transformative capabilities. Under Allman's leadership, Ondo Finance has focused on creating compliant and innovative financial products that empower a diverse investor base. Who are the Investors of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo)? The investment landscape surrounding Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo) is notably robust, underpinned by significant institutional support. Primarily, Pantera Capital stands out as a strategic partner through the Ondo Catalyst initiative, a $250 million commitment aimed at accelerating the development of on-chain capital markets. This partnership not only signifies institutional confidence in the potential of tokenized assets but also reinforces Ondo Finance's operational capabilities and market positioning. The funding pathways have included earlier rounds that amassed millions in seed funding and further structural investments, solidifying relationships with both venture capital firms and private investors. Moreover, the financial framework is complemented by strategic partnerships with established financial institutions and technology companies, enhancing Ondo’s infrastructure and operational expertise. How Does Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), $SHOPON Work? At the core of $SHOPON's operational framework is a sophisticated system integrating traditional finance mechanisms with blockchain technology. The custody of actual Shopify shares ensures that token holders retain authentic economic exposure, safeguarding their investments in line with recognized legal structures. The smart contracts employed in managing $SHOPON handle various functions, including automatic dividend reinvestment and ownership transfer, offering instant settlement and increased liquidity, marking a significant departure from conventional trading systems plagued by multi-day settlement delays. By providing interoperability with other decentralized finance applications, $SHOPON empowers holders with potentially lucrative opportunities for advanced investment strategies, including lending and automated market making. This complex integration presents a unique value proposition, catering to both traditional and crypto-native investors. The innovative structure of $SHOPON also allows for real-time settlements and transactions documented on the blockchain, delivering unparalleled transparency and security—a major advancement over standard equity trading practices. Timeline of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo) March 2021: Nathan Allman establishes Ondo Finance, initially focusing on decentralized finance yield optimization. August 2021: Completion of a $4 million seed funding round led by Pantera Capital. January 2023: Launch of initial tokenized treasury security products, laying the groundwork for future equity tokenization. July 2025: Announcement of the Ondo Catalyst initiative, a strategic investment program valued at $250 million, aimed at propelling the development of tokenization in capital markets. September 3, 2025: Launch of Ondo Global Markets featuring over 100 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs, including $SHOPON. Technical Implementation and Blockchain Infrastructure Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo) operates on a technical architectural framework that marries blockchain protocols with traditional financial custody arrangements. The ecosystem leverages Ethereum's smart contract capabilities, providing seamless transaction management while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards through established financial custodians. Central to this architecture are security measures and transparent transaction records that affirm the legitimacy of each tokenholder's economic stake. With automated features managed by intricate smart contracts, $SHOPON not only streamlines ownership transfers but also allows for the tactical reinvestment of dividends—a hallmark of modern investment strategies. Moreover, the incorporation of LayerZero technology facilitates cross-chain interoperability, making $SHOPON accessible across multiple blockchain environments while preserving its functional robustness. This forward-thinking technical design positions $SHOPON as an adaptable asset within the larger DeFi milieu. Regulatory Framework and Compliance Architecture $SHOPON's regulatory framework is built upon the meticulous navigation of existing financial regulations that govern securities. The custody arrangements for the underlying Shopify shares are managed by U.S.-regulated broker-dealers, ensuring compliance and protection for investors. By maintaining a separation between the blockchain tokenization process and traditional custody, $SHOPON adheres to legal requirements while offering innovative functionalities that challenge conventional constraints. This dual-layered compliance approach enhances investor confidence and underscores Ondo Finance's commitment to regulatory integrity. Notably, the availability of $SHOPON is tailored to international investors from regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa, as regulatory parameters in the U.S. and U.K. present challenges in accessing tokenized securities. Market Access and Global Distribution Strategy The distribution strategy of $SHOPON is keenly designed to optimize global access while conforming to regulatory standards. The platform aims to establish comprehensive coverage for eligible investors across multiple regions, effectively dismantling traditional barriers through the implementation of blockchain technology. Integration with various cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges also promotes user-friendliness and accessibility, establishing a streamlined experience for investors to manage their holdings. Moreover, the 24/7 trading capabilities afforded by the tokenized model allow participants to react promptly to market shifts, fundamentally transforming how global equities are accessed and traded. Technology Integration and Cross-Chain Functionality The remarkable technological underpinnings of $SHOPON propagate its multi-chain functionality, set to expand its reach beyond Ethereum to networks such as Solana and BNB Chain. Such cross-chain capabilities allow users flexibility when navigating between blockchains, concurrently leveraging distinct network attributes to optimize their trading experience. LayerZero serves as the backbone for ensuring decentralized transfers between networks while providing the requisite security and speed, quintessential for maintaining investor trust. This comprehensive interoperability illustrates $SHOPON's commitment to being a versatile, user-centric asset in the evolving investment landscape. Ecosystem Integration and DeFi Compatibility Incorporating $SHOPON into broader DeFi protocols signifies its potential beyond traditional stock ownership. Token holders can leverage their holdings for various sophisticated strategies and applications, enhancing investment returns and liquidity management. By establishing a presence in lending protocols and automated trading systems, $SHOPON effectively democratizes access to advanced financial strategies previously limited to institutional investors. Such integration contributes to a more competitive and dynamic financial landscape, where individual investors can capitalize on tools typically reserved for larger entities. Risk Management and Security Framework Security remains paramount in the operational infrastructure of $SHOPON. The tokenization framework employs multiple layers of protection—beginning with regulated custody of the underlying Shopify shares. The operational protocols establish rigorous auditing, key management, and transaction monitoring standards, thus safeguarding against potential vulnerabilities. Moreover, meticulous adherence to evolving regulatory requirements provides an extra layer of security, fortifying investor protections and institutional compliance. Market Impact and Industry Implications The introduction of Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo) heralds a transformative shift in how financial markets operate, emphasizing the potential of tokenized securities to reshape traditional investment paradigms. The successful integration of $SHOPON encapsulates the efficiencies inherent in blockchain technology and opens avenues for new user demographics previously barred from extensive market participation. The impact extends beyond the immediate benefits to token holders, indicating broader trends that may challenge the status quo of investment services, particularly in addressing geographic restrictions and operational costs typically associated with traditional brokerage platforms. Undeniably, $SHOPON encapsulates the potential for traditional institutions to innovate further, leveraging the increasing demand for seamless blockchain access to complement existing financial infrastructure. Future Development Roadmap and Strategic Vision As Ondo Finance looks forward, the trajectory of $SHOPON rests on ambitious goals aimed at broadening the spectrum of available tokenized assets significantly. Over the next few years, plans are in place to expand to more than 1,000 tokenized securities, further enhancing market participation and investment options for individuals worldwide. Continued integration with traditional financial actors, development of specialized institutional products, and enhancements in automated trading capabilities will ensure that $SHOPON maintains its position at the forefront of financial innovation. Regulatory collaboration will also remain a focal point, establishing a framework that not only supports the compliance requirements but also promotes a healthy environment for tokenized asset proliferation. Conclusion and Market Significance In summary, Shopify Tokenized Stock (Ondo), represented by the ticker $SHOPON, is more than merely a tokenized equity offering; it embodies the innovation possible when traditional finance collides with modern blockchain applications. With a robust technical architecture, a commitment to compliance, and a clear strategic vision, $SHOPON exemplifies the potential for tokenized assets to enhance liquidity, accessibility, and functionality in capital markets. As the global investment landscape evolves, the transformative implications of $SHOPON extend beyond individual investors to revolutionize how financial instruments are perceived, traded, and utilized within both traditional and decentralized frameworks.

2.5k Total ViewsPublished 2025.12.05Updated 2025.12.05

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