The PAWS airdrop. Ugh. It should have been a party, victory lap, and prize all rolled into one for a bunch of early adopters. Rather, it became a case study in everything that can go awry when ambition gets ahead of execution. Wrong amounts, absent tokens, EEA exclusions… it was a disaster. And though Bybit later reversed the full allocations and agreed to a fair redistribution of all funds, the harm had already been inflicted. Trust, once broken, is hard to mend.

Here's the thing: this isn't just about PAWS. It's about the entire crypto space. It’s no longer about if something will go wrong, it’s how we, as a community, react to these constantly occurring hiccups and stumbles. Because let's be honest, screw-ups happen. What’s important is how we educate ourselves as a result.

Was Community Really Put First?

PAWS set aside 62.5% of its total supply to allocate to rewards to the community– which sounds amazing in theory. Targeting early adopters of the new Telegram mini-app and holders of certain Solana assets are both very laudable goals. When the state lacks execution, that percent conversion doesn’t matter. It’s akin to offering a fine brunch spread, and then sending everyone home with expired bag lunches.

While understandable, the exclusion of EEA users due to MiCA regulations is a painful reminder of that. I get it, compliance is crucial. It highlights a fundamental tension in crypto: the desire for global reach versus the reality of fragmented regulations. How can we seek to create truly inclusive communities when regulatory hurdles artificially pit communities against each other?

It's not enough to say you're community-focused. You have to show it. And that’s more than giving out diversity tokens.

Beyond Airdrops, Build Real Governance

Airdrops may steal the spotlight, but they aren’t the key to building an engaged community. Real strength comes from governance. From ensuring that community members actually have meaningful input on the trajectory of work.

Think about it: DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) offer a framework for participatory decision-making. Imagine this, the PAWS community forms a DAO. This DAO will be able to vote on how to distribute various airdrops and even vote to exclude EEA users from airdrops. Would the outcome have been different? Maybe. If nothing else, the community would have felt listened to.

It’s time to move past these token giveaways and focus on real decentralization. This means:

  • Transparent Communication: No more vague announcements. Explain the why behind every decision.
  • Community Consultation: Solicit feedback before making major changes. Use polls, forums, and AMAs to engage with your community.
  • DAO Integration: Explore the possibility of creating a DAO to give community members a direct voice in governance.

Think about it like this: a traditional company has a board of directors, but a crypto project should have its entire community.

Turning Mess Into Meaningful Progress

The PAWS airdrop mess should be a wake-up call and a turning point. It can be a catalyst for change. But only if we learn from it.

The PAWS team now has a duty to deliver on the product. That means:

  • A sincere apology (not just a canned statement).
  • Additional compensation for affected users (beyond just fixing the initial error).
  • A commitment to involving the community in future governance decisions.

We, as a transit community, have a collective responsibility to hold them to that standard. To demand transparency, inclusivity, and real decentralization.

The rapid advance of AI within crypto — prominently showcased by the MIND of Pepe advertisement — presents new opportunities along with significant risks. Automation from AI-powered trading assistants and autonomous operations would make trading more efficient and accessible. They pose fundamental concerns about transparency and control. Who's programming the AI? How are decisions being made? How do we make sure that these systems don’t reinforce inequities?

This is where the “Unexpected Connection” challenge comes in. The PAWS airdrop fiasco and the increased role of AI in crypto are both part of the same underlying problem. They're both symptoms of a larger problem: a lack of trust and transparency in the crypto space.

We must design systems that are efficient, but more importantly, we must design systems that are ethical. More participatory systems that are rooted in community empowerment and decentralized governance. Systems that ensure future PAWS airdrop messes don’t occur in the first place.

So stop being an armchair critic. Get involved! Get involved with the PAWS community (or whichever crypto community that aligns with your values). Ask tough questions. Demand transparency. Advocate for change.

So let’s get to work restoring that trust—one affected community at a time. Let's turn this mess into meaningful progress. The future of crypto depends on it.

Let's rebuild trust, one community at a time. Let's turn this mess into meaningful progress. The future of crypto depends on it.