Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron recently made a bold statement suggesting that racial prejudice against co-founder Sandeep Nailwal is hindering the network’s broader adoption in the blockchain space. In a post on X, Boiron pointed out that Nailwal’s Indian heritage has led to biases that prevent Polygon from receiving the recognition it deserves, despite its widespread usage in the industry.
Boiron emphasized that if Nailwal were not Indian, Polygon would have been embraced more widely within the Web3 community. He highlighted the fact that despite Polygon’s Proof of Stake (PoS) system being more utilized than all other blockchains combined, it still faces challenges due to racial prejudices.
In response to a user’s argument about Indians holding prominent roles in major tech firms globally, Boiron suggested that geography plays a significant role in how biases are perceived. He noted that Indians working in Western countries face fewer biases compared to those working from India, citing examples like EigenLayer’s Sreeram Kannan.
The CEO also pointed out discriminatory remarks, including racial slurs, as clear evidence of the underlying issue. He stressed that the prevalence of such comments in the community indicates a systemic problem that needs to be addressed.
While there is a division within the Web3 community regarding the reasons for Polygon’s struggles, with some attributing it to competition from newer Ethereum layer-2 networks or the network’s strategies, Boiron’s claims have sparked a conversation about racial biases in the industry.
Despite these challenges, Polygon remains a prominent player in the blockchain space, with its POL token ranking as the 30th largest digital asset by market cap. However, the network’s popularity has faced competition from newer layer-2 networks like Base, backed by Coinbase.
In response to the ongoing debate, Sandeep Nailwal remained unperturbed, acknowledging the challenges but urging developers to stay focused on their goals. He emphasized that dwelling on discrimination is counterproductive and advised developers to focus on building transformative solutions that can challenge biases through consistent success.
The conversation about discrimination against Indian developers extends beyond Polygon, with Nader Dabit of EigenLayer also highlighting similar issues within the crypto community. Dabit noted that biases against Indian developers often stem from insecurity, calling for a more inclusive and supportive environment within the industry.
Overall, the discussion around bias against Indian developers in the blockchain space continues to evolve, prompting important conversations about diversity and inclusion. The industry’s growth and success will ultimately depend on addressing these issues and creating a more equitable environment for all participants.