The NFT space could use an injection of adrenaline, and Doodles may well be the ones with the syringe. Their decision to lead with the DOOD token on Solana is a daring one given morning market conditions where Ethereum remains king. The more pressing question here is it a calculated risk or a Hail Mary pass? As to whether it’s the former or the latter, I hope it’s the former and here’s why.
Solana Needs A Win, Badly
And look, let’s not kid ourselves, Solana’s been through a tough time. Network outages, complaints about centralization, and the ever-present specter of the FTX meltdown have all hurt. However, and this is a huge however, Solana’s technology is super, super fast and cheap. It’s a sports car that keeps stalling. DOOD might just end up being that mechanic, tuning up the engine and getting it to roll out on the big stage.
Think of it like this: Ethereum is the established metropolis, congested and expensive. Solana is a fictional new city that promises the benefits of wider streets and lower taxes. Like any great destination, it requires a powerful draw to lure newcomers. Animaniacs’ Doodles, armed with their millions of young fans and near-universal brand recognition, might be just the thing to give it. This kind of DOOD launch on Solana, done well, will attract NFT project’s attention and smart developers. This would in turn create a flourishing ecosystem that could compete with or perhaps even exceed Ethereum’s.
Is Doodles REALLY Decentralizing?
Jordan Castro’s tweet that Doodles is now “no longer an NFT project” did not sit well with many crypto enthusiasts. Their reaction was 100 percent warranted. That really was a slap in the face to the community that developed Doodles into what it’s become today. Perhaps there would be a reason behind the apparent insanity.
In this new world, the DOOD token lets users personalize their avatars, participate in community voting, and unlock premium content. This can lay the foundation for real decentralization. Providing token holders with an active role in shaping the future state of the Doodles universe is a smart and powerful long-term play. It's not just about holding a pretty picture anymore; it's about owning a piece of the pie.
The distribution of those tokens must be open and equitable. If the Doodles team, plus a few whales, own the majority of the DOOD, then it is just another centralized cash grab. This centralization of the distributed ledger undermines its purported claim to decentralization. More than anything, we need to see a commitment to genuinely empowering the community—rather than superficially paying lip service to the idea.
Think of it as a political election. Certainly it’s wonderful to grant everyone the vote. When one party owns all the media outlets and controls all the campaign funding, that election is a farce. Doodles requires the DOOD token distribution and governance mechanisms to be strongly democratic in practice.
Beyond Hype: Actual Utility Matters
The partnership with Adidas and Pharrell Williams is cool, and the Camp collaboration is a fun way to engage with families. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to make DOOD useful. Is it simply a memecoin in a pretty package, or does it truly offer more to the Doodles ecosystem?
The promise of avatar customization in Doodles 2 and access to premium digital materials feels like a good start. Doodles needs to think bigger. How can DOOD be used to create new experiences, enhance creativity, and develop deeper community ties? How can DOOD holders be rewarded for helping build ecosystem projects? Are they going to fund artists and creators through the Doodles ecosystem with DOOD?
Consider this: Imagine DOOD being used to fund community-led projects, like animated shorts or interactive games based on the Doodles universe. This will create intrinsic value for the token. Lastly, it will give the community the power to create Doodles’ roadmap and decide the future of Doodles. That’s the kind of innovation from the private side that would make DOOD a real game-changer.
Binance listing DOOD with 50x leverage… …well, that’s a double-edged sword right there. It'll bring liquidity and exposure, sure. However, this creates huge potential for volatility and market manipulation. Trading with 50x leverage is similar to driving a formula one car without any brakes. Sure, it can be exhilarating, but it’s very deadly.
The verdict? DOOD on Solana is a risk, but it’s a risk worth taking with the chance for tremendous upside. If Doodles can deliver on its promises of decentralization and utility, and if Solana can finally get its act together, this could be a turning point for both projects. If they drop the ball, that would be another nail in the NFT space coffin.
I have no affiliation with Doodles or Solana. As always, this is just my personal view and you need to do your own research and due diligence before investing in anything.