Introduction

In a move that surprised many in the crypto community, the founder of DeGods NFTs, Rohun Vora (aka Frank DeGods), decided last year to bridge his popular NFT projects from Solana to Ethereum. The sudden shift left many people questioning the rationale behind this decision. In a candid tweet, Vora explained his motivations with brutal honesty, even going as far as saying, "I was just being a pussy." So, what led to this eyebrow-raising move in the first place, and what does it mean for the broader NFT ecosystem?

In the unpredictable world of NFT projects, leaders often find themselves trying to balance between community satisfaction and strategic growth. Frank Vora's reflections on Twitter provide a unique backstage pass to the decision-making process during one of DeGods' most tumultuous times. He revealed how he attempted to "move mountains to appease the community in times of chaos," but often found these efforts, ironically, backfiring. Much like a chef trying to perfect a soufflé, any sudden moves or missteps could cause it all to collapse.

One of the most significant and controversial moves was the bridging of DeGods NFTs from Solana to Ethereum last year. Vora wasn't just content with moving DeGods; he also moved y00ts from Solana to Ethereum's sidechain network, Polygon, and then back to Ethereum mainnet, all while returning a hefty $3 million grant from Polygon Labs. Whew! Talk about a nomadic existence in the crypto world.

Frank's tweet served as a heartfelt confession. He admitted that the decision to bridge off Solana came in the midst of collective panic following the collapse of FTX in November 2022—a catastrophe that saw Solana's price plummet to an all-time low of about $8, a staggering 97% drop from its peak. At that point, his aim was to alleviate the community's rising anxiety. Fast forward to today, he candidly admits, "In reality, I was just being a pussy." Ouch, talk about being your own harshest critic.

Now, Frank is singing a different tune—one about standing by one's convictions. His tweet came with the sharp realization that trying to appease everyone often results in failure. In his previous attempts, the short-term pressures and the need for immediate approval led to decisions that weren't necessarily in the best long-term interests of the project. This is a theme many leaders, in and out of the crypto world, can relate to. It’s a tricky tightrope walk between doing what’s best for the community and sticking to a long-term vision.

Interestingly, Frank recently announced an optional bridge back to Solana for both DeGods and y00ts. This move provides the community with the freedom to choose their preferred blockchain without any coercion or added incentives this time around. It’s a more relaxed approach compared to the dramatic bridge to Ethereum. Frank even made it clear that art upgrades for the projects are off the table, signaling a shift towards stability and consistency.

Decrypt reached out to Frank for further comments but did not receive a response at the time of writing. However, his tweets offer an unfiltered glimpse into the complicated world of running an NFT project. His acknowledgment of past mistakes and his pivot towards greater transparency and flexibility may well be steps in the right direction. While previous moves appeared rushed and reactive, today’s strategies seem to focus more on creating a resilient and robust community. "I believe that antifragility is the answer," he wrote. "That's my conviction. Not just building the best community, but the strongest one."

Whether or not the community agrees with Frank’s decisions, one thing is clear: he’s dedicated to making amends and building a more stable foundation for the future. His admission of past hesitations and openness about his flaws may be just what’s needed to cultivate a more trusting and engaged community. In the end, it looks like Frank Vora is learning and evolving, much like the ever-changing world of NFTs he’s so deeply entrenched in.

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Founder’s candid reflection

In a candid tweet Thursday, DeGods and y00ts NFT project founder Rohun Vora, aka Frank DeGods, donned his virtual therapist hat and took a deep dive into his own errors and missed slam dunks. Reflecting on those tumultuous times, Frank pointed out that community expectations can sometimes feel like trying to hug a cactus. "Every single time I tried to move mountains to appease the community in times of chaos, it's backfired," Frank began, sporting a tone that was so introspective it might've had Freud nodding in agreement.

Frank's leadership decisions have seen more plot twists than a soap opera, with a history peppered with a mix of “this could be genius” moments and “what were we thinking?” plans. The DeGods team even played an art swap game with their project more frequently than a college kid changes majors, flipping between upgrades and what Frank called an “art downgrade.”

Previous decisions and community reactions

One of the biggest moves, and arguably the most controversial, was the great migration of DeGods NFTs from Solana to Ethereum. If NFTs were the ocean, this was like moving the fish to a new pond—complete with upset waves and confused flounders. Throw in y00ts' hop from Solana to Ethereum's elegant sidechain Polygon (and then back to the Ethereum mainnet like the digital version of musical chairs), alongside returning a $3 million grant from Polygon Labs, and you’ve got yourself quite the digital drama.

Frank admitted he felt the pressure cooker of community anxiety, likening the atmosphere to a frantic scramble to patch up disasters. He mused, "On the internet, you either stand by your conviction, or you're a pussy." His words struck a chord, especially as he admitted that his choice to hop bridges during the FTX collapse was grounded more in panic than strategic genius. You could practically hear the collective gasp as Frank laid bare his insecurities and admitted to steps motivated by fear rather than confidence.

Bridging DeGods from Solana to Ethereum

Ah, the infamous bridge! This wasn't just a casual cross-country relocation. This was DeGods taking their digital caravan from Solana, which at the time was reeling from an FTX-induced nosedive to a pitiful $8, to Ethereum—a blockchain equivalent of NYC, brimming with opportunities and, of course, fabulous NFTs. Frank's rationale was simple yet lofty: elevate DeGods into the crème de la crème of the NFT world. But, as it turns out, the community thought it was more like moving from a cozy home into a flashy, but temperamental, penthouse.

Frank's decision sparked fierce debate and birthed a handful of memes, comparing the move to leaping without looking. The panic in the community was palpable during the crypto market's equivalent of biting your nails during a thriller's climactic scene. Reflecting in his tweet, Frank didn't hold back from self-criticism, admitting he felt pressured to 'fix' everyone's anxiety, only to find out that he was, in his own words, just a pussy.

Current mindset and convictions

Recently, Frank had an epiphany that self-reflection is as vital in NFTs as it is in meditation retreats. Despite the risks and the inevitable internet backlash, he now clings to his convictions like a white-knuckled coaster rider. "The truth is, standing by your convictions on the internet takes guts," he declared, shedding past insecurities like old snake skins. His newfound perspective preaches resilience and long-term vision over succumbing to short-term panic attacks.

This isn't just about NFTs. It's about the core philosophy of leadership in the digital age. Frank’s past self is seen as caving to the distress calls of holders faster than a college student to free pizza offers. Now, Frank embraces a more 'anti-fragile' philosophy, where seeking constant community validation through reactive maneuvers is replaced by a strong-willed, unwavering approach.

Launch of optional bridge back to Solana

Ah, the prodigal NFTs return... or at least, they have the option to. In a plot twist reminiscent of reality TV, Frank recently unveiled an optional bridge back to Solana for both DeGods and y00ts. No more hefty incentives, no eye-popping marketing stunts—just a simple option for those who wish to return to their roots. Like a parent leaving the door ajar for an estranged child, the option is there, open, welcoming.

This move reflects Frank’s current belief in providing the community with choices, rather than dictating their path. Speaking nearly like a repentant leader, he noted, "I said I want to allow our community to come back home, and I meant it. I still do.” The new bridge was launched with less fanfare than previous moves—a silent yet firm nod towards a more mature phase for the project.

Building a stronger community

Looking ahead, Frank is now focused on not just building a community but forging a robust, resilient one. "Antifragility is the answer," he writes, aiming to transform the DeGods community into a fortress that thrives amidst chaos rather than falters. It’s a bold call to arms for NFT enthusiasts to focus on long-term growth over the dopamine hits of immediate, yet fleeting, successes.

In this journey, Frank hopes to create a space where the community isn't just strong but unyieldingly resilient, able to weather the worst market storms and still come out flourishing. By standing firm in his convictions and learning from past missteps, Frank envisions a future where DeGods isn't just an NFT project—they aim to be a beacon of strength and longevity in the ever-evolving digital cosmos.

Why DeGods’ jump from Solana to Ethereum Made Waves

In the roller coaster realm of NFTs, DeGods’ founder Frank DeGods (aka Rohun Vora) didn’t hold back in a recent tweet, reflecting candidly on the tumultuous journey his projects have endured. He set the scene by admitting, “I used to try to move mountains to appease the community in times of chaos, every single time it backfired.” Well, if you’ve ever felt like a circus juggling act trying not to drop a dozen flaming balls, you’re in good company.

Driving DeGods and y00ts forward has been anything but a smooth ride. Frank’s team has been through numerous art iterations—talk about a Picasso-level identity crisis! The plan was to elevate, but not every shift hit the intended mark. The saga reached a pivotal moment when the DeGods team decided to move their NFTs from the Solana blockchain to Ethereum, coinciding with shifting y00ts to Ethereum’s sidechain network Polygon. But plot twist: y00ts later found a home on the Ethereum mainnet after a brief stint, and the team returned a hefty $3 million grant from Polygon Labs. Talk about NFT musical chairs!

During the post-FTX collapse era, when Solana's value took a nosedive rivaling a rejected reality TV contestant, Frank and his crew made the decisive call to hop over to Ethereum. "Like the bridge off SOL," he wrote, “everyone in the community was panicking (myself included) during FTX. I tried to fix their anxiety. In reality, I was just being a pussy.” If there was a reality show called "NFT Survivor," Frank would be the one spilling the real tea about the behind-the-scenes chaos.

The backlash and resolution

Frank’s moment of raw honesty didn't stop there. He championed the idea of standing by one's convictions, especially in the volatile world of online criticism. "The truth is, on the internet, you either stand by your convictions or you're a pussy," he tweeted. Faced with the high-pressure decision-making environment of NFT leadership, succumbing to immediate approval often led to pitfalls—something Frank learned the hard way, like a freshman learning to avoid the cafeteria’s mystery meat.

In a surprising yet refreshing twist, Frank recently rolled out an optional bridge back to Solana for both DeGods and y00ts. Imagine a reality where your GPS suddenly gives you the option to take a scenic route back to "crypto home base" without recalculating every five seconds. This newfound flexibility stands in stark contrast to the past "move or perish by vibes" ultimatum. Frank emphasized, "I said I want to allow our community to come back home and I meant it. I still do.” He might as well have said, “Welcome home, folks. No toll charge this time.”

Despite the lack of grand fanfare accompanying this latest bridge, the move signifies a deeper desire to atone for past decisions and grant agency back to the community. It’s like lowering the decibel on concert speakers after the crowd requests a more acoustic vibe.

Frank's commitment: A community’s silver lining

Frank’s recent actions and candid admissions offer an illuminating insight into the challenges of steering the NFT ship. The decision to enable bridges back to Solana—and do so with less of a dazzling light show—points to a maturing approach, one respecting both the project's and the community’s evolving journeys. It’s less about the stunt and more about the substance.

Looking to the future, Frank expressed a vision for building an “antifragile” community, one that thrives not just on public applause but gains strength from every challenge faced. "I believe that antifragility is the answer," he penned. It’s a bold ethos: instead of merely surviving the storm, he’s all in for dancing in the rain. This mindset, rather than chasing ephemeral hype, aims to foster a genuinely resilient community.

By bringing the focus back to conviction and resilience, Frank hopes to lead DeGods and y00ts towards enduring success rather than temporary acclaim. The transformation might have been bumpy, but the lessons learned are invaluable as he looks to write the next chapter in this high-stakes NFT drama.