Solana retracts video ad amid backlash from crypto community

Solana has removed a video ad that was supposed to promote its upcoming conference after controversy arose on social media.

Solana posted the ad on social media on Monday but deleted it a few hours later when it faced backlash online. The video , however, continues to circulate on X.

The ad featured content deemed insensitive towards gender issues, with some claiming that the ad was anti-queer.

In the video, an individual named "America" appears to undergo therapy for "rational thinking syndrome," with the therapist wanting the individual to come up with a "new gender" or "focus on pronouns."

"I will lead the world in permissionless tech, build onchain and reclaim my place as the beacon of innovation," the individual said. "I want to invent technologies, not genders."

The now-deleted advertisement, which was meant to promote Solana's upcoming conference in New York in May, has since sparked backlash from the community.

"Imagine thinking this is a good commercial," said Adam Cochran, general partner of Cinneamhain Ventures, in an X post . "The 'mind virus' that’s infected the nation is whatever weird circlejerk is going on in Silicon Valley where people are convinced they were oppressed and that this is cool or edgy."

David McIntyre, COO of DoubleZero and a former director of the Solana Foundation called the video "horrendous."

"If you want to celebrate America, why not keep the message positive instead of dunking on people and making light of serious cultural issues," commented McIntyre.

The Solana Foundation's code of conduct states that it is committed to "the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and respect." 

The Block reached out to the Solana Foundation for comment.