By Key Points
- Solana’s Yakovenko called crypto communities “useless,” sparking backlash
- Base’s Jesse Pollak defended the power of communities in Web3
- 62.4% of Solana meme coin holders show long-term loyalty
- Debate highlights the growing tension between builders and users
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko found himself at the center of controversy after a sharp comment branding online communities as “useless” went viral.
Though seemingly directed at X’s Communities feature, many in the Web3 space took the remark as a jab at the broader role of community-building in crypto, and they didn’t take it lightly.
If you had to remove 1 feature or part of the X app, what would it be?
— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) August 3, 2025
Jesse Pollak, the creator of Base and a prominent figure at Coinbase, stepped in to push back. He emphasized that communities aren’t just helpful, they’re crucial. Especially when it comes to meme coins.
“Meme projects live and die by their communities,” Pollak explained. “Without them, there’s no momentum, no cohesion, and no sticky users.”
you should read the replies to his post. pretty much every meme community uses Communities.
could it be better? absolutely. but useless? absolutely not. communities need tools to come together. we should invest in them, not divest of them.
— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) August 3, 2025
This back-and-forth ignited a wider conversation about what truly drives blockchain adoption: slick tech or strong communities?
Meanwhile, others from Solana’s backyard joined the debate, pointing out that its ecosystem owes much of its current traction to Solana meme coin holders. “Why does Toly hate the only people propping up Solana’s price?” one user posted on X.
Why does toly hate the only people propping up Solanas price? Memecoins and gamblers are the only reason why SOL it is where it is today
Crazy to bite the hand that built you lol
— FFV (@FFVV1211) August 3, 2025
In recent months, Solana has seen a flurry of meme coin launches. Their traction wasn’t driven by protocols or dev updates—but by users sharing memes, forming tight-knit groups, and driving speculative surges.
Communities are everything. https://t.co/QJXGN3cFsr
— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) August 3, 2025
Yakovenko’s comment, whether misunderstood or not, landed at a delicate moment. Solana is riding high on meme coin hype, and the people driving that are the same ones forming those so-called “useless” communities.
you should read the replies to his post. pretty much every meme community uses Communities.
could it be better? absolutely. but useless? absolutely not. communities need tools to come together. we should invest in them, not divest of them.
— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) August 3, 2025
If you’re tracking trends in emerging creator tokens, you’ll notice how community sentiment also plays a massive role in indexing tokens, just like in the growing Creator Coin Index.
62.4% of Solana Meme Coin Holders Are Long-Term Believers
It’s not just noise. Data from Dune Analytics tells a different story from Yakovenko’s dismissive tone. According to recent metrics, 62.4% of Solana meme coin holders fall under the “Diamond Hands” category.
That means they’ve held onto their tokens through volatility, price dips, and the usual meme coin chaos, without selling.
These aren’t just random gamblers flipping tokens for fun. They’re loyal, long-term believers. And they’re building value by sticking around.
Solana Net Trade Pulse. Source: Dune Analytics – Techtoken
Compare that with the 37.6% of short-term holders, who trade more actively and exit quickly. While they add liquidity and drive spikes, it’s the long-term holders who give a meme coin real staying power.
In simple terms, Solana meme coin holders are proving that the community isn’t fluff. Its utility.
As Jesse Pollak put it, “Communities bring people together. But they also give meaning to what we’re building.”
Solana’s recent trading pulse shows this community effect in action. Despite market dips, Solana holders recently purchased $367 million worth of SOL in a single week. That’s not just opportunistic buying. That’s belief.
Solana Meme Coins Diamond Hand Share. Source: Dune Analytics – Techtoken
The recent dip in top tokens has also drawn attention to how user faith plays a role, as seen when both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs lost $965M after a record month, yet community support remained largely unshaken.
So when Yakovenko dismisses the importance of communities, critics argue he’s ignoring the very engine that’s keeping Solana vibrant.
Builders vs Believers: A Growing Divide in Web3
Yakovenko’s stance reflects a broader split in crypto. On one side are the builders, laser-focused on tech, scalability, and infrastructure. On the other hand are the believers, the users, traders, and holders who shape culture, drive engagement, and keep chains alive.
As chains like Solana, Base, and others battle for market share, it’s becoming clear: tech alone isn’t enough. Without a committed community, even the best blockchain can fail to gain traction.
The BONK community is the biggest on Solana
And you doubted The Dog?
— BONK!!! (@bonk_inu) August 3, 2025
Pollak’s approach with Base is community-first. Meme coins, builder grants, and public tools are designed to invite users in, not just developers. It’s a long-game strategy that views users not as noise, but as the core.
In contrast, Yakovenko’s remarks risk alienating the people who have championed Solana during its most uncertain moments.
“Meme traders and Telegram groups may seem chaotic,” one user said, “but they’re the ones who bring real volume and engagement. Ignoring that is short-sighted.”
Literally every coin on Solana now uses communities instead of telegram chats Toly
— 100x (@100xgemfinder) August 3, 2025
With increasing speculation around newer tokens like Pi Network’s token lockup and Ripple’s $15 billion valuation, one thing is becoming obvious: users follow narratives they believe in.
Even broader market conditions show how community psychology impacts price action. As shown in the latest U.S. Jobs Report, crypto often reacts not just to tech, but to macro belief cycles, once again proving that sentiment and community can’t be discounted.
At a time when meme coins dominate narratives and dictate market energy, calling communities “useless” is more than just bad PR. It’s a denial of crypto’s social foundation.
The numbers don’t lie: with 62.4% of holders staying loyal, Solana meme coin holders are making one thing clear: without community, there is no Web3.
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