Ken Chen, co-founder of AEVO, has published a reflective article criticizing the cryptocurrency industry's deviation from its original decentralized vision. Chen argues that the sector has transformed into a zero-sum game dominated by speculation and gambling, with many projects failing to contribute to the development of a new financial system. The article has sparked responses from industry figures, some acknowledging the inherent speculative nature of crypto since its inception, while others highlight the progress in Bitcoin sovereignty, stablecoin applications, and permissionless protocols. Some also view speculation as a natural market cycle, urging focus on projects that uphold the cypherpunk ethos.