Crypto does not suffer from a lack of attention. It suffers from a lack of visible leadership. That is the uncomfortable truth at the heart of Samantha Yap’s argument, one that challenges an industry still hiding behind the idea that good code can speak for itself.
Too many founders confuse decentralization with disappearing. They step back, go silent, or retreat into anonymity, believing that the product alone will carry trust. It rarely does. When leaders are absent, confidence erodes. In that silence, doubt grows, regulators grow uneasy, and audiences begin to question who, exactly, is accountable.
Trust is not forged during euphoric market cycles when optimism is easy. It is built slowly, often unnoticed, during downturns. Those are the times when clear goals, steady communication, and visible leadership are most important. Not noise for advertising, but presence. Not hype, but steadiness.
If crypto wants to grow up and earn lasting legitimacy, founders must accept a simple reality. People trust people, not protocols. Every strong narrative needs someone willing to stand in front of it, answer hard questions, and stay visible even when attention fades. Leadership, in the end, is not about control. It is about showing up.
