Victor Ji criticizes Polkadot for alleged bias against Asian developers, citing grants and event representation disparities.
Polkadot’s response to Victor Ji’s allegations remains awaited amid discussions on diversity in blockchain ecosystems.
Manta Network’s shift from Polkadot signals concerns over ecosystem support for innovation and inclusivity.
The founder of Manta Network, has publicly accused the Polkadot ecosystem of fostering a discriminatory environment towards Asian developers. This has sparked a heated debate within the crypto community about diversity and inclusion in the blockchain space.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Victor Ji, claims that the ecosystem, led by figures like Gavin Wood, lacks inclusivity and fails to adequately support Asian founders, a sentiment echoed by other Asian entrepreneurs.
A concrete example is the Polkadot Academy event held in Hong Kong this February, where less than a quarter of the participants were Asian, even though this was an event in Asia (costing over a million dollars). It was at this event that I first encountered Gavin Wood, and when I… https://t.co/JxyvyIM6S9
— victorji.eth ✨🌊✈️EthCC (@victorJi15) July 2, 2024
Ji criticized Polkadot for what he perceives as a toxic environment that neglects the needs of Web3 adoption and user-centric development. He expressed disappointment in the ecosystem’s alleged bias against Asian developers, citing disparities in grants and event participation as evidence of discrimination.
Additionally, Ji highlighted a specific incident at a Polkadot Academy event in Hong Kong, where he claims fewer than 25% of attendees were Asians. He recalled an interaction with Gavin Wood, alleging that Wood was unaware of Manta Network’s mainnet launch despite its significance within the ecosystem.
Despite these grievances, Ji reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling promises made to the community, including deploying Manta Network’s parachain. However, he emphasized the team’s shift in focus towards Ethereum Layer 2 solutions and other more accommodating ecosystems, citing superior development prospects.
When asked about Manta Network’s future within Polkadot, Ji stated that a roadmap is not currently feasible due to their redirected efforts. He asserted that the Polkadot ecosystem is stagnating and requires stronger support for innovative builders.
Ji’s allegations have ignited discussions within the blockchain community, raising questions about diversity and inclusivity within blockchain ecosystems. Polkadot, renowned for its promise of decentralized innovation, now faces scrutiny over its approach to fostering a diverse and supportive environment for all developers.
The Polkadot team has not yet issued a public response to Ji’s accusations. Observers are eagerly awaiting further developments as the blockchain community debates the implications of Ji’s claims on the future of Polkadot’s ecosystem and its reputation within the broader blockchain industry.
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