Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, has drawn significant criticism from the crypto community following a series of controversial remarks about meme coins and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Despite the fact that Solana hosts most of the top meme coins by market capitalization, Yakovenko described these assets as “digital slop” with no intrinsic value in a recent X post. His comments sparked backlash, particularly from community members who highlighted the network’s financial success tied to meme coins [1].

The Solana founder compared meme coins and NFTs to mobile game loot boxes, noting that $150 billion is spent annually on mobile gaming. This analogy was met with skepticism. Anastasiia Bobeshko, a crypto marketer, pointed out that meme coins generated $1.6 billion for Solana in the first half of 2025, underscoring their role in the ecosystem’s growth. Ethereum developer Hanniabu echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Solana’s prominence would not exist without these tokens. A BONK community member, Null, similarly asserted that meme coins are foundational to Solana’s current standing [1].

Yakovenko’s critique intensified after a public exchange with Jesse Pollak, lead developer of Base. Pollak argued that Zora meme coins (a Base-based token) hold more value than Solana’s Pump.fun tokens. In response, Yakovenko questioned whether Zora coins offer future cash flow claims to creators, a feature Pump.fun provides. Pollak clarified that meme coin value depends on fundamentals, but Yakovenko maintained that the category lacks intrinsic value [1].

The controversy has highlighted a growing tension between Solana’s leadership and its community. While Yakovenko dismissed the significance of meme coins, their economic impact is evident. Tokens like Fartcoin, BONK, PENGU, and TRUMP have driven substantial trading volume on the network. For instance, Solana’s price surged to an all-time high of $294 in January 2024 following the launch of TRUMP, a meme coin tied to Donald Trump. As of the latest data, Solana (SOL) trades at approximately $183, reflecting a 5% decline in the past 24 hours [1].

Yakovenko’s dismissive tone has also led to pointed exchanges with community members. When asked if memecoin traders spending $150 billion annually on the chain posed a problem, he replied sarcastically, referencing Apple’s reliance on lootbox-style revenue. His remarks, however, have failed to quell criticism, with detractors arguing that the network’s success is inextricably linked to the very assets he derides [1].

The incident underscores the challenges faced by blockchain projects in balancing ideological stances with practical economic realities. While Yakovenko’s focus remains on technical improvements—such as sandwich-resistant market implementations—community members emphasize that meme coins and NFTs are not just speculative assets but catalysts for adoption and liquidity. The debate reflects broader industry tensions between purist and market-driven perspectives [1].

Source: [1] Crypto Community Blasts Solana Founder Over This Meme Coin/NFT Comment (https://www.newsbtc.com/news/solana/solana-founder-recieve-backlash/)