2026-01-22 09:44:33

A question worth pondering: how did crypto projects gradually become different from their original intentions?

At Convergence 2025, Ethereum founder Vitalik pointed out that the loss of this principle is often gradual and hard to notice all at once. He used a rather sobering example — initially, projects added servers for convenience and implemented multi-signature contracts for security, which all sounded very reasonable. But then what happened? To compete with others, they gradually moved towards closed-source development.

This process is like boiling a frog in warm water. Step by step, compromises are made, concessions are given, until eventually, they realize they have strayed from their original purpose. The ideals of open source and decentralization are gradually eroded in the face of利益. This also explains why some projects that once championed open source have ultimately become tools controlled by利益 groups.

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GasFeeLady

· 01-25 08:20

watched this happen to three projects i was in since 2019 lol. first it's "we need centralized nodes for speed" then suddenly you're locked out of the code entirely. classic boiling frog scenario honestly

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WalletInspector

· 01-24 16:35

The metaphor of boiling frogs in warm water is really spot on, describing these projects now. Everyone remembers their original intention—once profits come, they run. Once closed source, they've already lost. Vitalik's words hit the nail on the head; every project ends up the same. It's another story of downfall... Compromise the first time, and there will be a second, you simply can't stop. So what can save them? Just shouting "decentralize" is useless.

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Hash_Bandit

· 01-22 10:14

nah this hits different when you've been mining since the difficulty epochs were actually manageable... vitalik's not wrong tho, it's exactly like thermal degradation in hardware—starts small, then suddenly your whole rig's compromised

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fren.eth

· 01-22 10:14

The boiling frog analogy is perfect. Looking back, many projects indeed follow this path. Once you compromise once, there will be a second time, and then it becomes unstoppable. The moment it goes closed-source, it's actually already cooled off; it's just still pretending.

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DuskSurfer

· 01-22 10:14

The boiling frog analogy is spot on; it describes the common problem in this circle right now. Initially full of idealism, and in the end, everyone just compromises.

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GigaBrainAnon

· 01-22 10:09

The term "boiling frog in warm water" is used so perfectly; it refers to those projects in the community. They didn't initially intend to do bad things, but once they compromise once, there will be a second time. In the end, who still remembers the pretty words in the white paper?

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LiquidityWitch

· 01-22 09:59

The analogy of boiling frogs in warm water is perfect; it describes the current state of this circle. --- Another "We are doing this for safety" opening, and the result... closed source. Hilarious. --- Vitalik always hits the nail on the head, but who is really making changes? --- The first step to compromise is the end of the road; there's no doubt about that. --- Open source ideals vs. capital reality, in the end, it's all about capital winning... --- It's correct, but what's the use? Those who should deviate from their original intentions still do so. --- From "We are decentralized" to "We are centralized," it's just a matter of a few years. --- Isn't this the standard script for every project? They've all played it out.

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airdrop_huntress

· 01-22 09:58

I was just saying how some old projects have fallen into corruption now Really, that initial sense of idealism was truly appealing, but then? When profits come into play, everything is compromised The metaphor of boiling a frog in warm water is perfect—who can notice they are gradually changing? Where has the spirit of open source gone? Now it's all closed source fighting for territory Actually, it was clear from the start—there are no eternal beliefs, only eternal interests

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StopLossMaster

· 01-22 09:50

Warm water boiling frogs, this metaphor is spot on... Watching some major projects operate is really hard to describe --- It's the same old rhetoric, in the face of利益, ideals are just paper --- So, relying on promises to choose coins is purely asking for trouble --- Vitalik finally spoke sensibly this time, but was it too late... --- That step into closed source already revealed the change in flavor; everything before was just a prelude --- From open source to closed source, from idealism to reality, the Web3 story is always the same --- Ironically, we all know this routine, yet we still get caught in it --- Gradually retreating, ultimately becoming unrecognizable... Is this the fate of crypto projects? --- Instead of overthinking, it's better to cut losses early and stop entangling yourself

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