Cointelegraph's new direction: An open letter to the crypto industry

At Cointelegraph, we’ve spent the last 13 years documenting the incredible rise of blockchain, crypto and Web3.

From the days when crypto was discussed in obscure forums to today’s global headlines and multibillion dollar innovations, we’ve reported on the industry without bias or favor.

But as our industry matures, so must the way we cover it.

Today, we’re introducing a clear editorial stance designed to celebrate our industry and the values we share with those who participate in it: Skeptical Advocacy.

What does this mean?

We believe in the transformative potential of this technology. When used responsibly, blockchain and crypto can empower individuals, reshape economies and drive transparency and innovation across countless industries.

We believe our industry can be a force for good — if guided by prudence, ethics and clarity of purpose.

At the same time, we recognize a hard truth: Technology is neutral, but people are not.

Crypto has attracted visionaries and opportunists alike. For every breakthrough, there’s a bad actor; for every genuine use case, a headline-grabbing scam. That’s why we will continue to approach the space with journalistic skepticism, carefully scrutinizing those who build, promote and profit from this technology.

But we are also tired of seeing our industry painted in broad, dismissive strokes by mainstream media and powerful incumbents. Crypto has proved too big to ignore, but too disruptive for comfort.

Digital assets are logical, inevitable and useful. Yet, otherwise-serious media outlets often present them as inherently scandalous and undesirable.

Cointelegraph is changing the narrative

What our industry lacks is a strong and competent media ally. A publication willing to advocate for its promise, to defend its legitimacy and to challenge the narrative when it veers toward pessimism, sensationalism or misinformation.

As of today, that’s our role. As the largest crypto-native media platform in the world, we’re here to support our industry.

Not blindly, but boldly. Not recklessly, but realistically.

And it begins with celebrating and sharing our cornerstone values:

• Pragmatic decentralization
• Pragmatic privacy
• Personal sovereignty
• Digital ownership rights

When we find people who share these values, we will highlight their innovations. We will offer opportunities and support to the creators, builders and leaders who employ blockchain and Web3 tech for good. We will illustrate how people across the globe are benefiting from countless projects that are building a better future.

Yet we will not shy away from critiquing those who promote schemes that appear to serve a personal interest instead of the wider good. We will document the conflicts of interest; the tokenomics that extract value from retail investors; the charlatans and the grifters.

We will use our unrivaled experience and expertise in this field to fiercely seek out and expose wrongdoing.

And we will fight for a future in which crypto’s best values can thrive.

It’s skepticism, but with support. Advocacy, but with accountability.

Thank you for being with us on this journey.

Cointelegraph Editorial Team

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