Prepare for the Worst: Solana Co-Founder’s Survival Guide for Crypto Startups

In the ever-volatile world of cryptocurrency, caution is a strength—not a weakness. Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, recently delivered a sobering message to crypto startup founders: prepare for a 95% market crash—even if things are booming today.

Amid growing optimism and increasing investment across the Web3 ecosystem, Yakovenko’s warning serves as a timely reminder that complacency is the enemy of sustainability. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he advocated for quarterly “pre-rehearsals”—internal stress tests that simulate extreme market downturns and challenge a company’s ability to survive.

Survival-First Strategy for Crypto Startups

Yakovenko outlined three critical questions every crypto startup team should be revisiting on a quarterly basis:

• Which products should remain a priority during a crash?

Startups should focus on essential offerings that align with long-term vision and user demand.

• What key competencies must the core team retain?

Identifying irreplaceable skills ensures a lean but effective crew during turbulence.

• Are there enough cash reserves to operate for at least 18 months?

Capital efficiency and burn rate control are vital in weathering prolonged bear markets.

Yakovenko’s approach echoes the lean startup methodology but is hyper-tailored for the high-stakes, high-volatility environment of crypto. Instead of chasing moonshots, he urges founders to plan for impact—even in the worst conditions.

Why Overconfidence Can Be Costly in Crypto

Yakovenko also criticized the growing “we’ve already won” sentiment circulating within the Solana ecosystem. Despite the blockchain’s recent achievements—including faster transactions, improved tooling, and a growing NFT and DeFi ecosystem—he emphasized that the journey is far from over.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Yakovenko warned, suggesting that overconfidence may lead to under-preparation, which has proven fatal for many in previous market downturns.

The High Cost of Forgetting the Last Crash

Yakovenko’s advice is deeply rooted in history. From the ICO crash in 2018 to the DeFi downturn in 2022, crypto has repeatedly demonstrated its brutal cyclical nature. During these periods, projects that lacked financial foresight or technical resilience often vanished.

Startups that heed his warning could avoid painful layoffs, shutdowns, or diluted investor bailouts during market slumps—and instead re-emerge stronger when the tide turns.

Plan Smart, Build Strong, Survive Anything

Anatoly Yakovenko’s call to action is more than a risk management strategy—it’s a blueprint for long-term success in crypto. As Solana continues to evolve, so too must the mindset of its builders. Startups that embrace resilience, discipline, and humility may be the ones that not only survive the next crash but define the next era of innovation.