It feels worth separating two things here that have unfortunately become commingled: crypto pump and dumps and AI-enabled spikes.

Haven't we learned by now that all crypto coins are pump-and-dump schemes? Unless you're HODLing BTC or whatever... (yes, I'm a huge crypto skeptic)

As for the actual software, why isn't it worth exploring how to better incorporate this current wave of AI into our lives? I've idly wondered what an "AI coding factory" would look like, and Gas Town is an interesting instantiation of the idea. I've also wondered how to best incorporate memory and personal knowledge into an agent that I can self-host. Clawdbot (now Molt?) is an interesting take. People exploring these ideas shouldn't be shot down.

What I fail to understand is why anybody would buy a coin attached to these projects: what are the buyers expecting to happen to the coin? Is this yet another instance of the greater fool theory[1] that we saw with NFTs?

I also fail to understand why the creators are getting involved. I guess the author is trying to answer that question. I'd like to think of a more charitable interpretation than reputation laundering, but I'm not sure what it is... I'm open to suggestions :)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_fool_theory