Encryption Circle Tactics: Winning the Psychological Battle is the Best Marketing.

Author: TM

Compiled by: Deep Tide TechFlow

This is a masterclass in modern psychological warfare tactics.

I shouldn’t have written this article; the amount of information is just too much—frankly speaking, this is also my super skill. But never mind, let’s dive deep into the marketing strategies in the crypto space: a masterclass in psychological tactics.

If you still don’t know what “psychological operations” (psyops) are, it means you have been manipulated since you became an adult.

Welcome to the Meme War.

Milady

Case 1: Kalshi Enters the Crypto Market

Let’s talk about @Kalshi. This is not spreading panic (FUD); I actually appreciate their execution. These are just some personal opinions, with no concrete evidence.

After the decline in the popularity of memecoins, prediction markets have begun to gain attention. Some KOLs have started to promote this narrative, one of whom is @j0hnwang.

Prediction markets are indeed fairer than memecoins. Memecoins are a brutal “1 to 1000” game, while prediction markets at least make the winning odds more balanced. But to be honest, the enthusiasts (degens) in the crypto space have a deep-rooted love for coins, and it has always been this way.

So the question arises: how to capture market share from the memecoin market without issuing coins, while simultaneously attacking dominant players like @Polymarket?

Answer: Psychological warfare.

The following is the detailed process of the event:

John Wang had already signed a contract with Kalshi before the official announcement.

In the coming months, engagement farms and researchers began to create momentum for his account.

When the signing is officially announced, the entire release process is meticulously coordinated: news media, influencers, and the “research” page all report on this news—about the signing of a KOL.

The news page reports on a contract signed by a KOL in the cryptocurrency field?

This is seen as a milestone event, as if Kalshi has just poached an executive from Google or Apple.

This is a simple yet exciting psychological game: turning a personnel change into a comprehensive marketing campaign.

Kalshi has not only entered the cryptocurrency space, but they also make it appear to be a paradigm shift.

They paid these websites, researchers, and influencers to talk about this announcement. This hiring event has caused a stir. Kalshi is officially entering the cryptocurrency market. It’s as if it were a FAANG stock.

A very simple yet effective psychological tactic: they meticulously planned this announcement and turned it into a large marketing campaign.

So, is John Wang the marketing manager of Kalshi?

Case 2: The Flywheel Effect of ai16z

Next, let’s talk about ai16z.

This operation can be described as a genius move. For a time, it filled people (myself included) with genuine hope for the future of “crypto x AI.”

The following is their operating procedure:

They launched a meme DAO around the concept of “tokenizing a16z (the famous venture capital giant).”

Marc Andreessen (one of the founders of a16z) personally participated in the interaction, giving authority to this meme.

In an instant, the entire industry’s attention was focused on this “new AI fund.”

Then, they launched the product: Eliza AI Agent.

It has leapt to become the number one platform on GitHub. The timing is just right. The hype is unstoppable.

Shaw flexing

But what about the actual situation? From a technical perspective, it is just a wrapper tool for GPT. In simple terms, it connects the existing large language model (LLM) APIs to a front-end interface. There is no disruptive innovation.

However, does anyone care? Almost no one. The product works, the atmosphere is right, that’s enough.

The key to psychological tactics lies not only in technology but also in narrative.

Becoming a member of the ai16z DAO has become a symbol of identity. Just like wearing a Rolex in the early days, being an “ai16z Partner” means you are exceptional. It attracts elite developers from universities and wealthy believers.

The market value of DAO has reached 2.5 billion dollars (with liquidity so weak it’s laughable). The flywheel effect is forming: heat attracts liquidity, liquidity attracts investors, and investors create more heat.

But the next question is: how to cash out without ruining the price chart?

The answer is: You don’t need to cash out directly. Instead, ai16z “sells” their technology to other AI crypto projects and secures up to a 10% share in the supply agreement before the token issuance in exchange for market support.

What was the result? A wave of half-finished AI projects has emerged. These projects were supported, hyped, and then quickly sold off.

After abandoning the AI project obtained for free from him.

In the end, the psychological tactics worked. Liquidity was drained. And now, ai16z is brewing its next comeback.

The essence of cryptographic psychological warfare

The key point is: no tricks can be reused.

Once people see through the tricks, it becomes ineffective. The public quickly turns to the next shiny new thing. This is also why many projects continuously recycle those clichés:

Airdrops

Roadmaps

Buybacks

Flywheel Effect

Tokenomics

If you hear these words, it means that this team has not yet realized the changes in the market. Today’s marketing is no longer just hollow announcements. In this market, only products that are actually delivered matter.

Welcome to the Meme War

Today’s crypto marketing is not just advertising, but a war.

Narrative is a weapon. Interaction is ammunition. Every announcement, collaboration, or dispute is a battle for “mind share.”

Winners are not just projects that sell technology, but teams that can execute coordinated psychological tactics: telling stories, creating memes, and formulating strategies to make target users willing to believe in their narrative.

Of course, not all projects follow the same rules.

If you want to seize market share in this industry, you must arm yourself. Assemble your team like a Roman general preparing for conquest.

Because in the crypto space, this is a war.

“If you want peace, prepare for war.”

If you want peace, prepare for war.

My victorious pose after defeating my opponent.

The target of the battle is your competitor, not your community. Supporting your allies is what makes you a true comrade.