Yes, the founders made a lot of mistakes along the way, but that doesn't mean we as a community don't have to move on.
Technology works, technologically our place should be top 100. With marketing actions and utility development we will surely reach the top.
There are many evangelists, not just one. And the one you are talking about is present now but unfortunately he is not very involved anymore, his choice.
The project really becomes OpenSource.
Related to the other project you mentioned, there was another strategy, there were some start-up funds, but that growth is not sustainable, I don't know if it will be among the cryptocurrencies that will survive.
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