Rohun Vora is out as DeGods CEO. Sales are up. Everyone's talking about decentralization. Hold on before you pull out the party hats for this new Web3 revolution—let’s pump the brakes. Is this really about empowering the community, or is this just another power play in disguise?
Decentralization Theater Or Real Change?
We hear every day that Web3 is all about “putting power back in the hands of the people,” a revolutionary shift away from centralized authority. Let’s face it, how many times does that really happen? Vora’s exit, though couched as a move to decentralize, seems convenient to me. He leaves it unclear, but suggests that “Frank DeGods” (his crypto persona) was the one stalling the project. Okay, but why now?
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting Vora is an evil genius, but the timing is particularly shady. The sales are booming, everyone’s excited and then the founder at the top of the organization leaves to “decentralize.” It's like a magician's misdirection – while you're distracted by the shiny "decentralization" label, are you really looking at who's benefiting from this leadership change? And more importantly, are the benefits being distributed throughout the community, or are they going directly to the big fishes’ maws? We need to be asking these tough questions and calling for transparency.
Think about it like this: it's like a band announcing they're going "DIY" after they've already made millions on a major label. Cool, but who really benefits?
'LA Vape Cabal': Still Pulling Strings?
Vora’s connections with the so-called “LA Vape Cabal” make this all even more complicated. These dudes are notorious for sensationalizing every meme coin and shiny new project under the sun. Even as Vora has distanced himself from some of the more controversial actions, the connection is still quite clear.
- LIBRA token (distanced himself)
- Hawk Tuah token launch (distanced himself)
This isn’t associational guilt, it is about asking some hard questions of why these projects are being advanced. Are they really in it to create something truly novel, or are they simply in search of the next money making scheme? Just how much power does this “Cabal” retain on DeGods, despite Vora’s alleged retreat from leadership?
This isn't some abstract philosophical debate. This is all directly tied to your money, your NFTs, and the future of the Web3 space. If we don’t start holding these projects accountable now, then we’re only dooming ourselves to be rug-pulled time and time again.
Gen Z: Wake Up, Smell the Coffee
I'm talking to you, Gen Z. You’re the generation that should be shaking up the establishment, creating a more just and inclusive world. But are you actually innovating or disrupting anything if you’re just trying to buy the same hype cycles back over and over again?
Popular NFTs like DeGods and y00ts are the current flavors of the week. The dynamics of who gets to make decisions due to the power structures are still intact.
We owe it to ourselves to question the narratives they are promoting, ask for transparency and accountability, and hold the line on these projects. More than that, simply purchasing the NFT and crossing your fingers isn’t sufficient. So we’ll all need to be more active participants in shaping what Web3 looks like.
The new leadership, 0x_chill and Pastagotsauce, have been discussing expanding the DeGods brand and stepping outside of crypto-native products. That all sounds wonderful, but what does that even look like? Will they focus on smart community development or will they continue to merely follow the shiny new object?
Let's be clear: Vora's remaining in an advisory and creative role doesn't exactly scream "radical decentralization." That’s the language of an orderly transition, a deck chair shuffle rather than a radical remake.
Most of the success of DeGods in this new paradigm will be about whether it’s able to successfully empower that community. It must go beyond that to create a more transparent and equitable ecosystem. As with all things climate, only time will tell if this is a real step forward or another well-crafted PR stunt. So, as always, stay tuned, stay wary, and ask more of the projects you advocate for. The future of Web3 depends on it.
