Jesse Walden, managing partner of Variant Fund, predicts that the original cypherpunk values driving smart contract platforms will diminish in the next decade due to institutional adoption. The first decade of blockchain development was influenced by ideals like censorship resistance and permissionlessness. However, current smart contract platforms prioritize performance, cost, and legal compliance. Popular use cases such as stablecoins and tokenization no longer require full decentralization. While the cypherpunk movement originated in response to internet limitations, the evolution of blockchain technology is shifting towards commercialization. Walden acknowledges the necessary compromises for mainstream adoption, likening it to the music industry. He believes that a balance between principles and mass appeal is crucial for cultural advancement. Despite the changes, Walden sees potential for impactful innovation in the crypto space. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news