Send an anonymous survey to 42 key Solana figures to gather their perspectives on the crypto industry.
Original Title: We surveyed 42 Solana founders. Here's what they said.
Original Author: Jack Kubinec, Blockworks
Original Translation: Blockchain Basics
Lightspeed conducted an anonymous survey and distributed it to Solana's founders, heavy users, etc., aiming to truly understand their views on other ecosystems, venture capital firms, startups, etc.
The survey questions covered a variety of options and provided a write-in space, which was edited for grammar and clarity.
Here are the survey results from our 42 founders:
1. Besides Solana, which blockchain would you choose?

Some founders also expressed: "If not for Solana, I wouldn't be involved in cryptocurrency."
2. What is your favorite U.S. political party?

3. Which crypto VC do you rate the highest?

Founders also stated: "Picking one is unfair."
4. Which crypto VC do you view the least favorably?

Founders also stated: "Blindly following Asian venture capital firms that follow lead investors based on who they are is also not very okay."
5. It is said that the Solana inner circle is deeply interconnected. To drive the development of in-group projects, non-in-group projects are often sacrificed. What are your thoughts on this?

Founders also stated:
"I don't know, it's all the same, not much of a difference."
"I don't like this question, it feels like provoking controversy rather than providing information."
"It does exist, and I am also a part of it, but it's not 'sacrificing non-in-group projects.' Because I have also invested a significant amount of time and money in 'non-in-group projects.' It's mutual—you give, you also receive."
「It does not exist, yet I am a part of it.」
「In the early days and during bear markets, personal relationship networks were formed. Those who valued collaboration and helping Solana naturally built closer relationships over the years. Some individuals (including those from the OG Solana Labs team) later became influential figures with large followings. This is natural. Almost all surviving teams also received VC funding and support from Solana Ventures. These are facts, but I don't see malice in it. The Solana Foundation has done an excellent job actively diversifying this influence and supporting those who have performed well in the ecosystem (e.g., Superteam). In my view, Toly is particularly good at impartially supporting builders based not on personal preferences but on 1) the coolness of the projects they are building and 2) their sincerity.」
6. What is currently Solana's biggest issue?

The founders also state: "There is an urgent need for more block space. Demand has increased by 5x + prices have doubled = to keep app developer costs constant, we need to increase block size by 10x!"
7. How do you view Memecoins' significance for Solana?

8. Solana has many startups that are not your own creations; which one do you most want to join?

9. Which one do you least want to join?

The founders also state: "Companies that have not yet shown promise are also not desirable to join."
10. What is the most overrated Solana sector?

The founders also state: "SocialFi, DeSci, and gaming still have potential."
11. What is the most underrated Solana sector?

12. Which of the following items has caused the most damage to Solana's reputation?

The founders also said: "FTX was both the best and worst early on, haha."
There is a lot to unpack here, but I found a few points particularly noteworthy: other founders had low opinions of pump.fun, but they generally believed memecoins were beneficial to the ecosystem. Base and Sui seem to be the most attractive Solana competitors at the moment.
As a journalist, getting founders to speak openly in public is not easy. This survey helped me better understand the Solana founders' true thoughts—at least somewhat authentically overall.
You may also like

The survival dilemma of small and medium exchanges behind the withdrawal anomalies exposed by AscendEX

Why Is Bitcoin Falling Below $60K? 5 Key Market Drivers Explained
Bitcoin has dropped sharply amid ETF outflows, Strategy stock weakness, AI stock rallies, and changing Fed expectations. Explore the key forces driving BTC’s latest correction and what traders should watch next.

The shift in the cloud of the air: from despising stablecoins a year ago to the high-profile entry of capital today

ETH has entered a non-consensus phase, and the turning point is approaching!

Bitcoin vs. Gold in 2026: Which Asset Performs Better in Different Markets?

What is your view on Binance's competitive advantages?

I never expected that the first application of AI x Crypto would be in security auditing

Global Launch: As predictions become the most scarce asset in the AI era, Manadia is defining the next generation of the value internet

Who is footing the bill for the $64 billion accounting frenzy?

Morning Report | CoinEx becomes a key hub for Iran to evade sanctions, involving over $3.8 billion in funds; Kalshi seeks a new round of financing, with a valuation potentially rising to $40 billion

Why do cryptocurrency projects always like to change their names?

From the white-haired stock god to the billionaire fund mogul, the smart people shorting Nvidia are all getting rich using the same framework

Morning News | The draft amendment to the People's Bank of China Law aims to clarify the legal status of digital renminbi; South Korea will transfer about 40 unregistered virtual asset service providers to law enforcement agencies

The cryptocurrency industry has entered the "Show Me" era: merely relying on vision is no longer enough

Interpreting the Ethereum Foundation's new structure: Reaffirming self-sovereignty amid institutional trends

Former SpaceX engineer reconstructs the financial execution system using first principles

Standard Chartered Bank sings a 50x rhapsody again, aiming for AAVE to reach 3500 USD

Tidal Investment: We still have a positive outlook on the AI industry chain, but the reasons have changed
The survival dilemma of small and medium exchanges behind the withdrawal anomalies exposed by AscendEX
Why Is Bitcoin Falling Below $60K? 5 Key Market Drivers Explained
Bitcoin has dropped sharply amid ETF outflows, Strategy stock weakness, AI stock rallies, and changing Fed expectations. Explore the key forces driving BTC’s latest correction and what traders should watch next.

