Polkadot's marketing expenditures in the first half of 2024 have come under fire from the community, with concerns raised about the effectiveness of the $36.7 million spent on advertising, influencers, conferences, and events.

Despite holding nearly $245 million in assets and having a runway that extends beyond two years, community members argue that the substantial marketing investments have not yielded tangible results. Criticisms have been particularly directed towards sponsorships and influencer marketing initiatives.