The cryptocurrency industry was recently the scene of an advertising campaign that quickly captured the attention of the public and experts alike. The Algorand Foundation, which runs the Layer 1 blockchain network called Algorand, launched a provocative advert directly targeting some of the biggest players on the market: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. This bold move has provoked a multitude of reactions, ranging from amusement to harsh criticism.
A hard-hitting advert
In this new advert released on YouTube, the Algorand Foundation does not shy away from highlighting the perceived shortcomings of the “big three” cryptocurrency networks. The advert depicts a scenario where consumers try to pay for their purchases using Bitcoin, Ether and SOL in a supermarket. The challenges encountered are representative of the criticisms often levelled at these cryptocurrencies: slow transaction times for Bitcoin, high transaction fees for Ether and recurring transaction failures for Solana.
The contrast is striking when the camera moves to another checkout, where transactions using Algorand take place instantaneously, highlighting the advantages offered by ALGO: instant finality, low transaction costs, and a design adapted to the demands of modern life. This staging is not just a marketing stunt, but also a commentary on the competitiveness and efficiency of blockchain technologies in everyday transactions.
Reactions and implications
The publicity quickly generated a variety of reactions within the crypto community. Some, like Hilmar Ingimundarson, co-founder of Kernel Edge, praised the Algorand Foundation’s approach, describing it as “very fair”. Others, like Chainlink consultant Zach Rynes and trader Fiskantes, have criticised the strategy as counterproductive or even damaging to the image of cryptocurrency in general.
This campaign comes at a time when Algorand, despite undeniable technical innovation, is still struggling to position itself among the market leaders in terms of total locked value (TVL), lagging far behind Ethereum and Solana. This type of aggressive marketing therefore raises important questions about the effectiveness of advertising campaigns in the crypto space and their ability to transform perceptions without harming the sector as a whole.
The impact of this publicity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it has succeeded in putting Algorand in the spotlight, for better or for worse.
