Neal Stephenson, renowned for his crypto-themed novels, has commented on the evolving ideology within the cryptocurrency industry, noting a shift from its original cypherpunk ideals towards commercialization. Stephenson, who co-founded the blockchain platform Lamina1, aims to create a metaverse-like environment, reflecting on how the industry's focus has changed over time. The creators of South Park have also weighed in on the current state of crypto, emphasizing the tension between maintaining moral principles and the lure of opportunism. Analysts, including Jordi Visser, have likened Bitcoin's evolution to an IPO, observing a transition from ideologically driven holders to profit-focused entities. Meanwhile, Hester Peirce has called on the industry to focus on building real value to achieve long-term regulatory stability.