Crypto.Volatility.The latter two words combine to create a mix that’s just as toxic and invasive as peanut butter and existential dread.We've all seen it – projects promising the moon only to crash and burn, leaving investors holding the bag (and a serious case of buyer's remorse).What if there were another approach?What if I told you that the secret to weathering this crypto winter isn’t revolutionary technology but something much more… human.

Community is the New Algorithm?

Think about it. True crypto to many still feels like a high stakes poker game with faceless whales and hyper-technical traders. The average citizen, the average person out there? They’re just trying not to get fleeced. Pi Network, with its walled garden and non-tradable condition, is in completely another league. It's building a community.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. "Community? Sounds fluffy." Consider this: a strong community is a force field against fear. Once the market crashes and the panic selling begins, the Ethereum community becomes the Avengers. They provide technical assistance, circulate best practices, and create a culture of green infrastructure mission. It’s that human connection that keeps folks leaning in and continuing to invest and believe, even when those charts are blaring blood red.

It’s the difference between comparing the lone wolf to the pack. Even as solitary as the lone wolf can be, it’s untouchable. The wolf pack? It has teeth, but more importantly, it has knowledge, power, and support in numbers. Pi Network, in this analogy, is creating the wolf pack.

Inclusive Growth, Not Exclusive Gains

The traditional crypto space sometimes feels like an exclusive club, requiring a PhD in blockchain and a Swiss bank account to even get a seat at the table. Pi Network, in contrast, makes a point of being intentionally inclusive. Its mining process has been deliberately tailored to be simple and easy-to-use for the average person with a smartphone. This isn’t just about birthing a new elite, it’s about equipping the great unwashed.

Through this accessibility, a deeper sense of ownership and belonging develops. Users come away with the impression that they’re personally contributing to something larger than themselves. They’re not just passive investors, they’re builders, contributors and members of a global community.

It is an exhilarating time, and at times I’m reminded of the early days of the internet. Before the mega-corporations came and sucked the life out of it, driven, talented creators built an organic, grassroots alternative. They were inspired by the power of connection and collaboration. Pi Network, for its part, is attempting to channel that same magic.

Consider the tales you read about Pi Network users. Americans and Indians collaborating across borders, swapping ideas and talent, and forging a new digital economy side by side. It’s this human element that makes Pi Network different from the usually cutthroat culture of mainstream cryptocurrency trading. Kaito meanwhile is even more affected by DEX trading volumes and price fluctuations. The destiny of Avalanche depends on outside regulatory actions, whereas Pi Network rests solely on its own self-sustaining ecosystem.

Can Community Outsmart the Market?

Can an enthusiastically loyal community really protect a cryptocurrency from speculative trading and market volatility? Maybe not entirely. Yet I think it has the potential to offer a critical cushion.

Think creatively about the positive and negative impacts of Pi Network’s governance model. Further, by giving users the power to directly engage in the prioritization process, the entire network creates a shared sense of accountability. This isn’t a federal, top-down system; it’s a decentralized, collaborative bottom-up effort. This distributed decision-making process, though it may take longer, results in more durable and sustainable outcomes.

Now, please don’t misconstrue what I’m saying here. The only argument that seems to have any heft is the very real fact that it’s not yet tradable on major exchanges. And, truth be told, the frenzy of speculation based on rumor that can often engulf a project is intimidating in its own right. Despite these limitations, one thing is clear — the strength of the community.

Imagine a day that Pi Network matures into a full-fledged, powerful ecosystem that makes a significant positive impact on the world. Envision a future where a community-developed currency fuels local transactions. In this universe, wealth is generated and shared equitably, making economic inclusion a reality for all. It’s a big vision, but it’s an inspiring one to pursue.

Emin Gün Sirer and Ava Labs are chieftains of the smart contract community within Avalanche. They would do well to study how Pi Network made that work. Getting regulatory approval won’t be easy. On the flipside, having a robust and active community can help soften the blow when regulatory hurdles show up.

So the next time you’re despondent about the unpredictable nature of the crypto world, look to the strength of community. Look for opportunities that emphasize diversity, relationship-building and empathy. Join us to make our financial system work better for everyone. For as we like to say, at the end of the day, it’s not the technology—it’s the people.