Recently, there's a rather painful phenomenon— the crypto industry is passively losing talented young people to AI, new energy, and other sectors. It's not just about salaries; there's a deeper issue at play.

An industry veteran once used a metaphor that fits perfectly. Imagine a country where all capable young people who have the opportunity to study abroad leave without hesitation. And what happens? Almost no one returns. They start businesses overseas, develop their careers, settle down. All the talent that should be building the country is thus permanently lost.

Now, the crypto industry is reenacting this story.

**Where exactly is the problem?**

On the surface, many might say it's about money—AI companies and big corporations offering attractive salaries. But digging deeper, the real reason isn't about pay. It's about a more fundamental thing: **storytelling**.

The crypto industry once had a compelling story—privacy protection, personal sovereignty, anti-censorship, financial democratization. These ideals once attracted a wave of idealistic young people who believed they were part of a movement to change the world. But now? That story seems to have faded.

In contrast, what story is the AI industry telling young people? Redefining human thinking, transforming work and creative production, empowering everyone with technology. It sounds like shaping the future. Young talent is drawn to this narrative naturally, and they flow toward it.

**Why is storytelling so important?**

Young people are never just after high salaries. They seek meaningful, worthwhile endeavors. If you can present them with a grand vision—making them feel they are doing something that changes the world—then no matter how tough or tiring it is, they will persevere.

The crypto industry used to attract talent this way. But now, this narrative has gone off track—overhyped coin prices, speculative trends, various rug pulls have made things look chaotic and untrustworthy. Young people no longer see ideals; instead, they see disorder and risks.

The AI sector is different. Although there are bubbles, the industry's narrative is consistent, the direction is clear, and the outlook is visible. This sense of certainty itself is very attractive.

**What should be done?**

The crypto industry needs to reframe its story. Not by fabricating or inventing, but by clearly communicating its core value propositions—financial inclusion, decentralization of technology, user asset sovereignty. These aspects are even more important in the Web3 era than before.

The key is that this story must be genuinely reflected in industry practice. Talking without action won't attract serious young talent. Only when the crypto community truly builds useful applications, solves real-world problems, and protects user interests can it regain trust and attract talent.

Otherwise, this story of "talent loss" may continue to unfold.