Snowden at Token 2049: Crypto’s Calcified, Billionaires Beware, and Solana? Just Memes and Scams!

Welcome to the crypto party, where Edward Snowden just dropped the mic in a way that only Snowden can. Speaking at Token 2049 in Singapore, the former NSA contractor turned privacy advocate had some spicy takes, and boy, did he stir the pot. You’d think the CIA would be old news, but Snowden’s back to remind us that Big Brother is watching—everyone—and it’s not just the government’s hobby anymore. 😎

First, Snowden’s tale of how Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was almost held hostage in France is giving off James Bond meets tech bro vibes. Snowden didn’t hold back, explaining how governments (ahem, the U.S. and Europe) had been pestering Telegram to hand over control of its ecosystem, like a nosy neighbor asking for your Wi-Fi password. When Telegram refused, Durov ended up in France, and surprise, surprise—Telegram’s terms of service mysteriously changed afterward. Coincidence? Snowden doesn’t think so.

And if you’re thinking Telegram is your secure messaging knight in shining armor… Snowden threw that illusion straight into the shredder. 🗑️ He flat out called it a glorified chat app, with its secret chats feature barely being used. The real kicker: the governments knew it was hackable all along. So much for privacy.

Solana: The Meme Coin Playground or Crypto Savior? 🤡

But that’s not even the best part. Snowden took a not-so-subtle jab at Solana, basically calling it the “meme coin and scam” express lane of the blockchain world. Sure, Solana’s lightning fast, but according to Snowden, it’s fast in the same way a cheap plastic toy is: shiny at first but probably gonna break when you need it most.

In his view, Solana is so centralized that governments could swoop in and push all the buttons, taking over the whole system. So, you’ve got speed, but at what cost? Does it really matter if your transactions are confirmed in seconds if the entire network could be “state-approved” before your coffee cools? 🤔

Snowden’s sarcasm rings loud and clear: Why create a blockchain if you’re going to make it as centralized as a traditional bank? Where’s the fun in that? Or more importantly, where’s the crypto?

The Question We’re All Thinking: Can Decentralization Survive the Meme Coins?

Here’s the real takeaway: Are we in crypto because we want to change the system, or are we just building the same old playground but with digital monkeys and scam tokens? 🤡 Snowden’s got a point when he says that crypto isn’t just about being fast, cheap, or making billionaires feel comfy. It’s about building something that lasts, something that can’t be hijacked by governments or get rug-pulled faster than you can say “To the moon.”

Snowden’s critique begs the question: Have we traded decentralization for convenience? And if so, is crypto still crypto, or are we just in a high-speed casino with a few extra zeroes? 🤑

Snowden: Solana is centralised.

Solanas founder responds:

🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/DYNPICCCtS
— Dave (@invalid_eutxo) October 3, 2024

The Takeaway: Privacy Matters, and So Does True Decentralization

We may laugh at meme coins and rug pulls, but Snowden’s words are a sharp reminder: if we’re not careful, crypto could end up just like the systems we’ve been trying to escape. And when that day comes, who’ll be laughing then? (Spoiler: Not us.)

Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. If you’re offended, please allow 2-3 decentralized blocks for transaction processing. Also, no meme coins were harmed in the making of this article. 😎

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Yona has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Daily is an official media and publication of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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