Jamal Al-Farouq Bitcoin Advocate Nic Carter Accuses ‘Laser-Eyed Maxis’ of Transforming Bitcoin Into a ‘Secular Cult’
Crypto advocate Nic Carter recently voiced his criticism of individuals who claim to be bitcoin enthusiasts but have been supporting the enforcement actions taken by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Carter accused these individuals of turning Bitcoin into what he refers to as a “secular cult,” asserting that the majority of them are newcomers to the cryptocurrency space. His critique sheds light on the increasing division within the CryptokenTop.community between those who prioritize decentralization and those who welcome regulatory oversight.
Nic Carter Asserts that ‘Laser Eyes’ and Bitcoin Maximalism Have Religious Characteristics
In recent times, several Bitcoin advocates have seemingly applauded the SEC’s enforcement actions against major exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. These individuals argue that all cryptocurrencies, except bitcoin (BTC), are unregistered securities and have eagerly awaited the SEC’s crackdown. However, long-time Bitcoin supporter Nic Carter took to Twitter to criticize this group, claiming that they have transformed Bitcoin into what he describes as a “secular cult.” In a lengthy tweet, Carter accused these so-called “bitcoiners” of blindly adhering to a dogmatic belief system.
“[You can refer to this group as] ‘laser eyes’ or ‘maxis,’ call them what you want, they know who they are, we know who they are,” expressed Carter. “There’s no uncertainty about this – they are individuals who elevated Bitcoin from a mere tool to a belief system, a way of life. The majority of these cult followers are actually newcomers to Bitcoin,” he added. Carter contends that this group of Bitcoin enthusiasts propagates false promises of wealth and perpetual price growth. He also highlights their acceptance of fallacies like the stock-to-flow model.
Carter emphasized:
It is crucial to remember that these individuals are latecomers. They needed to establish a moral high ground over the established crypto elites, who primarily profited from their involvement in the space, as well as the genuine, less privileged Bitcoin supporters.
Carter’s criticism of this faction of Bitcoin enthusiasts faced some opposition. One person accused him of being excessively focused on short-term gains, arguing that simply “stacking” Bitcoin would have yielded better returns all along. Another individual questioned Carter’s assertion that the majority of these enthusiasts are newcomers to the space. “I’m curious about how you concluded that Bitcoin maximalists are new to the space,” the person asked. Carter responded straightforwardly, saying, “Because I have eyes.” While some agreed with Carter’s perspective and expressed their own frustration with Bitcoin maximalists, others dismissed his comments as a mere rant.
An individual who claimed to have been a “hardcore maxi” since 2016 opposed Carter’s viewpoint. This person shared their experience of accumulating bitcoin and withdrawing it from exchanges. In a lengthy response, they vehemently disagreed with the practice of relying on centralized exchanges and entrusting them with one’s bitcoins. They believed this approach to be even worse than relying on banks to hold one’s money. They added:
Coinbase and Binance need to fail because they hold an excessive amount of customer bitcoin. All bitcoin should be immediately withdrawn from these exchanges. I created my profile in 2011. I’m genuinely surprised you haven’t blocked me yet because of my laser eyes.
In his tweet, Carter didn’t hold back in criticizing BTC maximalists, claiming that they have no interest in building real companies. Instead, he argued that they resemble members of a religious cult, complete with their own set of religious texts, a creation myth, eschatology, rituals, and even a tithe. According to Carter, these cultists take issue with exchanges like Binance and Coinbase because they list other cryptocurrencies, which they perceive as “
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bitcoin cult
What is Nic Carter criticizing in this text?
Nic Carter is criticizing individuals who claim to be bitcoin enthusiasts but support the enforcement actions taken by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against major exchanges. He accuses them of turning Bitcoin into what he calls a “secular cult” and argues that many of them are newcomers to the cryptocurrency space.
What are “laser-eyed maxis” in the context of this text?
“Laser-eyed maxis” refers to a group of Bitcoin maximalists who strongly advocate for Bitcoin and prioritize its success over other cryptocurrencies. They are characterized by their use of profile pictures with laser eyes, symbolizing their unwavering support for Bitcoin.
What criticisms does Nic Carter have against “laser-eyed maxis”?
Nic Carter criticizes “laser-eyed maxis” for blindly following a dogmatic belief system surrounding Bitcoin. He accuses them of peddling false promises of wealth and perpetuating fallacies like the stock-to-flow model. He also points out that many of them are newcomers to Bitcoin and needed to establish a moral high ground over established crypto elites.
How does Nic Carter view exchanges like Binance and Coinbase?
While acknowledging that Binance and Coinbase have made some questionable decisions, Nic Carter recognizes that they have played a significant role in Bitcoin adoption and accessibility. He believes that these exchanges have provided the tools for Bitcoin to achieve global adoption in a way that was not possible before.
What are the main points of contention within the Bitcoin community mentioned in this text?
The text mentions the growing division within the Bitcoin community regarding decentralization and regulatory oversight. Additionally, there is a debate surrounding the role of altcoins and block size scaling, as well as the inclusion of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and BRC20 tokens on the Bitcoin network. Some Bitcoin maximalists argue that the Bitcoin blockchain should be exclusively used for financial transactions.
More about Bitcoin cult
- Nic Carter’s tweet
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Binance
- Coinbase
- Bitcoin adoption and accessibility
