Frank's out. DeGods sales are up. Is this a coincidence, or causation? Or even better, is this surge sustainable, or just a one-time uptick powered by the produce aisle-esque drama of it all?

Short-Term Pump, Long-Term Dump?

Let's be real. The crypto world loves a good narrative. Frank resigns, saying he wants a new face – a completely understandable reason. Sales jump. Everyone cheers. Before we pop the cork, let’s add a major dose of skepticism. We've seen this movie before. Founder departs, hype follows, tokens moon, and then… silence.

The numbers may not lie, but they can definitely be massaged. A whopping 101% bump in Solana sales, to $458,000—isn’t that fantastic? Oh, and a 156% increase on Ethereum, breaking over $250,000? Let's dig deeper. What were their sales numbers leading up to the announcement? How does this stack up against the broader NFT market trend? Are we witnessing true, organic development, or just a highly speculative bubble blown up by the media?

Think of it like this: a company announces its CEO is leaving. Speculative stock price increases could happen quickly based on the uncertainty. If the business fundamentals are poor, that leap will only be temporary. The same principle applies here. The “fundamentals” of DeGods have little to do with the art or the technology. It’s less about the technology, more about the community, the roadmap, and the vision. With Frank gone, that vision is now in the hands of 0x_chill and Pastagotsauce.

Can they deliver? Well, that’s the million-dollar—rather, the million-dollar NFT—question.

Cultural Impact Over Product? Really?

Under the new leadership, they have begun discussing plans to pivot away from creating new products and instead focus on maximizing the “cultural impact” of DeGods. Here’s where my eyebrows begin to shoot skyward. It sure seems like a retreat to escape the tough stuff about real utility and move on to… um… vibes.

This has led to tremendous pressure on the market to prove real value and innovation more than ever before. Moving to a “cultural impact” orientation feels like changing deck chairs on the Titanic. Culture matters, of course, but without a robust product under-girding it all, it’s merely a pretty wallpaper. A great facade on an expensive facade — but a facade nevertheless. It would be the same as constructing a stunning masterpiece of a cathedral—all that time and effort—on a base of sand. Impressive to look at, but ultimately doomed.

Isn't it ironic? Crypto was originally founded on the principles of decentralization, and moving further from trusted central authorities. However, time and again, we observe investors gravitating towards charismatic founders. Are we really ready to let communities take the lead on these projects? Or are we still overly reliant on this “cult of personality”?

Should we take this as a marker that larger, meaningful changes are afoot? Are we beginning to witness a move from “tech” to “culture” in the NFT space? Are we prioritizing memes over meaning? Hype over hard work? Only time will tell.

The Real Question: Who Benefits?

In the end, the question isn’t really whether DeGods will be able to survive on their own without Frank. It's about who benefits from this transition. Or is this an artificial power shift, intended to pacify the community while enabling short-term profits and long-lasting detrimental effects? Or is it the death throes of a well-timed PR stunt, meant to cash in on profits while the ship sinks anyway.

So, which of the four do you think is most likely to play out? I'm not placing any bets just yet. But I'm watching the data. And I'm asking questions. For you see, in the wonderful world of crypto and indeed, life, all is not as it appears. Thus, as happy as the sales surge makes March look, don’t be misled. From here, the future of DeGods is pretty unclear. And Frank’s exit could turn out to be less the move of a genius than a sign of someone who planned an exit well in advance. Only time will tell.

  • Scenario A: The Phoenix Rises. The new leadership proves to be incredibly capable, building on Frank's foundation and taking DeGods to new heights. The community thrives, innovation abounds, and the project becomes a shining example of decentralized governance. Unlikely, but possible.
  • Scenario B: Slow Fade. The initial hype dies down, the lack of product development becomes apparent, and the project slowly loses momentum. The community becomes disillusioned, prices plummet, and DeGods fades into obscurity. The most probable scenario.
  • Scenario C: Acquisition Ahoy! The new leadership stabilizes the project, prepares it for acquisition, and sells it to a larger company for a hefty profit. The original holders get a small payout, the new owners rebrand the project, and the cycle continues. A cynical, but realistic, possibility.

Which scenario do you think is most likely? I'm not placing any bets just yet. But I'm watching the data. And I'm asking questions. Because in the crypto world, as in life, nothing is ever quite what it seems. So, while the sales surge paints a rosy picture, don't be fooled. The future of DeGods is far from certain. And Frank's departure may be less of a genius move and more of a carefully timed exit. Only time will tell.