Solana's co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko has apologized for a Solana ad aimed to promote the upcoming Accelerate Conference, criticized for negatively portraying gender issues.
Regret for the Ad
In his statement on social media, Anatoly Yakovenko admitted that the ad was terrible and continues to gnaw at his soul. He expressed gratitude to those who pointed out the ad's shortcomings, emphasizing that it was tone-deaf regarding gender identity issues.
Character Called America
The ad video, deleted on March 17, showed a man in therapy unable to focus on technological advancements like crypto and space travel due to societal discussions on gender identity. Many viewers found the character called 'America' provocative as it touched upon themes of invention during a therapy session.
Reaction and Aftermath
The ad concluded with the character saying he would 'invent technologies, not genders,' which many viewed as sexist. Viewers quickly expressed their outrage on social media, condemning the company's attempt to inject political discourse into the crypto space. Over a million people saw the ad before it was removed. Yakovenko assured that the Solana Foundation remains focused on its core mission.
The controversial Solana ad came just nine days after the firm’s X account stated, 'Solana is for everyone.' In addition to the apology, Yakovenko emphasized that the Foundation will continue focusing on its crucial mission of decentralization.
