Many blockchain startups struggle to make steady progress because they often feel pressured to follow the latest trends to attract investors.
Rosie Sargsian, head of growth at Ten Protocol, shared in a post on X why long-term building in crypto is becoming rare.
Sargsian noted that many founders are quick to abandon their original plans when faced with challenges. She compared this to the common business advice: if something does not work, try a new approach.
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However, she stated that in the crypto industry, this mindset has been taken to an extreme. People drop ideas before giving them a real chance to grow.
According to her, teams shift focus every 18 months, or even sooner. A new trend appears, excitement builds, funding follows, and then attention fades.
This pattern is repeating more quickly than it did in the past. During the ICO era, cycles lasted three to four years. Later, they were shortened to two. Currently, projects may only have a year and a half before the next trend takes over.
Sargsian also noted that funding in the crypto industry dropped nearly 60% in just one quarter of 2025.
She does not blame the founders for this behavior. According to her, they are doing what the system encourages. However, the market’s structure makes it difficult to build anything lasting.
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