Mike Ermolaev on the Industry’s Road to Mainstream | Airdrop Alert Pro

In Crypto Industry, Mike Ermolaev, Founder Initial PRhas become one of the leading voices in industry communications.

Since 2017, his PR initiatives have been instrumental in the development of crypto wallets, exchanges, and decentralized platforms, gradually changing public perception of the entire crypto industry. In this interview, Ermolaev pulls back the veil on the company and reveals what’s really going on in the cryptocurrency PR world—from the influence of so-called “bro culture” to the massive plans he’s developed based on his years of experience strategies adopted.

Cryptocurrency’s PR problem: The fragmented ‘Wild West’ legacy

When asked about the source of cryptocurrency PR issues, Mike Ermolaev Pointing to the industry’s fragmented narrative, attributing its shaky reputation more to its “Wild West” past than to any specific person or event. He compared the evolution of cryptocurrencies to the early days of the internet, saying:

“Cryptocurrency does not have a deliberately constructed public image – its reputation has grown organically through waves of technological developments such as NFTs, Decentralized FinanceMetaverse, ICOs and other innovations. It’s like the Wild West days of the internet, when no one could predict what would happen next and therefore couldn’t create a single, lasting impression in the public mind.

From the outside, cryptocurrency appears to be a complex, unpredictable, and high-risk experiment. It’s not as intuitive as traditional banking, and users don’t need to know how the system works to trust it. For cryptocurrencies, this trust has not yet been established. When a program lacks clarity about how it will work, people will be less willing to participate.

Wild price swings in Bitcoin have only deepened the confusion. To an outsider, watching Bitcoin jump from around $16,000 at the end of 2022 to nearly $90,000 at the end of 2024 (a lull followed by a sharp rise) feels like a wild ride. The reasons behind these ups and downs are not always obvious. Unlike gold or stocks, cryptocurrencies appear to be more unpredictable. Those in the industry may understand what’s driving these changes, but to most it will look like just random chaos. “

Ermolaev noted that media sensationalism exacerbates the industry’s public image problem. Scam and sudden market drops that cause concern. “The wealth gained by early adopters will only add to the chaos,” he pointed out. “It’s difficult for the public to understand that an early $5,000 investment in Bitcoin could be worth millions of dollars today.” This has led many to suspect that the industry is either a bubble about to burst or, worse yet, a massive scam.

For cryptocurrency PR pros, Ermolaev recommends gradually reshaping that perception by emphasizing stability and long-term potential rather than grandstanding. He believes that as the industry matures, institutional investors are stepping in to cushion the process, and pioneers with bold visions will eventually become more visible. However, until this maturity is fully realized, cryptocurrencies will continue to be affected by changing market trends and headlines.

Do cryptocurrencies need a rebrand?

When asked whether cryptocurrencies need to be rebranded, Ermolaev believes that lasting improvements will not come from rebranding alone. He believes the industry should aim for long-term gains, not short-term fixes. He said traditional branding methods are not suitable for a rapidly changing industry like cryptocurrency.

“What is needed now is a tactical, adaptive approach that can respond to the rapid changes in the industry. New products, trends and technologies emerge too quickly for companies to lock in long-term strategies. Leaders in this space must combine strategic foresight with the flexibility to adapt in real time strike a balance.” he thinks.

Ermolaev asserted that cryptocurrency setbacks, while serious at the moment, may ultimately serve as learning moments as they reveal the industry’s underlying strength and resilience.

In the long term, Ermolaev believes the cryptocurrency narrative will naturally shift from speculation to utility. Those projects that can survive these cycles and provide tangible, practical value—especially at the intersection of cryptocurrencies and traditional finance—will drive the next wave of adoption. He believes the future of cryptocurrency’s reputation depends not only on PR, but also on developing reliable, non-speculative products that meet real needs.

“The crypto industry’s biggest problem is not its image, but the need for steady progress. Ultimately, what matters most is developing reliable, useful products that bridge the gap between cryptocurrencies and the traditional economy. These efforts will organically shape the narrative Move toward legitimacy and trust.

Cryptocurrencies are in need of a course correction – it’s time to shift our focus from fancy visuals to the real-life benefits that actually improve people’s daily lives. The next chapter of the industry will not be written by PR campaigns, but by the products, solutions and innovation it brings. ” he elaborated.

The real barriers to cryptocurrency adoption

When asked whether a “bro culture” within the cryptocurrency community could impact adoption, Ermolaev was quick to shift focus from community culture to more substantive barriers. He believes the tone of the narrative within cryptocurrencies is far less important than the structural issues holding back mainstream adoption. He clarified,

“The so-called ‘bro culture’ in the crypto community is not as influential in shaping mass adoption as some think. The real barrier is more fundamental: high volatilitysteep learning curves and regulatory ambiguity. These barriers are more important than the tone or culture of the community itself. What matters to users is not how crypto projects communicate, but accessibility, reliability, and trust. “

He observed that most governments are hesitant to allow cryptocurrencies to operate freely, with exceptions such as El Salvador or the Central African Republic, where currency instability has led to a different approach. He believes that regulation, not public sentiment or community culture, will ultimately determine how quickly cryptocurrencies are accepted into the mainstream:

“If a major economy like the United States fully legalizes cryptocurrencies, mass adoption of cryptocurrencies will quickly follow. At that point, it won’t matter the tone of the community or the portrayal in the media — what really matters What is important is that cryptocurrencies will receive regulatory approval to operate freely.”

Ermolaev also pointed out that the seesaw effect of the cryptocurrency market affects people’s participation, observing “When Bitcoin reaches new highs, the craze attracts more players. But when a downturn hits, the faint of heart flees, exposing the true long-term supporters.”

Build trust through tangible value

Ultimately, Ermolaev believes that regulatory clarity and real-world values ​​are critical for successful mass adoption, as they can ultimately overshadow community culture or tone. He noted that mainstream acceptance depends on practical use,

“Real transformation will happen when the crypto industry develops products that provide tangible long-term value not just to crypto enthusiasts but to everyday users. Real people have real problems; these products should address those problems head-on.

Mike believes traditional industries and cryptocurrencies should join forces. In his view, products that truly resonate with people are those that solve the difficulties they face and provide important functionality. “Success depends on usability – creating tools that people understand, rely on and can integrate seamlessly into their daily lives.” he added.

Ermolaev looks at tech giants’ moves like PayPal launching its own product Stablecoinas a major step towards daily acceptance of cryptocurrencies. “If global giants like Amazon start accepting stablecoins, adoption will grow exponentially.” He predicted and emphasized the need for real-world integration.

Dealing with boom-bust cycles

When asked about the future of cryptocurrencies, Ermolaev remained cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the recent Trump-fueled surge in cryptocurrencies may maintain momentum.

“Currently, the cryptocurrency industry is experiencing a second wave. New developments in DeFi and second-layer solutions are emerging, bringing radical ideas to the forefront.” he explained.

When innovation accelerates, market excitement increases, but so does the risk of an unexpected recession, he said. Flash-in-the-pan products may capture people’s attention briefly, but even when they disappear, they often leave behind valuable insights and ideas that can be used to create something new, exciting, and longer-lasting. Ermolaev believes these boom and bust cycles are inherent to the industry and reputational risks are inevitable. Nonetheless, he stressed that regulation would be the ultimate “game changer”:

“Once a clear regulatory framework is introduced in a major economy like the United States or the European Union, the market will see an unprecedented wave of adoption.”

Until regulations become clearer, Ermolaev expects cycles of bull runs and corrections to continue, with each iteration attracting more players and bringing cryptocurrencies closer to the mainstream.

Ultimately, Ermolaev believes that regulatory clarity and real-world values ​​are critical for successful mass adoption, as they can ultimately obscure community culture or tone.

He noted that mainstream acceptance depends on practical use,

“Real transformation will happen when the crypto industry develops products that provide tangible long-term value not just to crypto enthusiasts but to everyday users. Real people have real problems; these products should be able to address those problems head-on.”

Ermolaev sees moves by tech giants, such as PayPal launching its own stablecoin, as an important step toward daily acceptance of cryptocurrencies. “If global giants like Amazon start accepting stablecoins, adoption will grow exponentially.” He predicted and emphasized the need for real-world integration.

Mike believes traditional industries and cryptocurrencies should join forces. In his view, products that truly resonate with people are those that solve the difficulties they face and provide important functionality. “Success depends on usability – creating tools that people understand, rely on and can integrate seamlessly into their daily lives.” he concluded.

About Mike Ermolaev

Thought-provoking articles and expert commentary Mike Ermolaev Go beyond PR and appear in top industry publications, where he sheds light on cryptocurrency trends, issues, and future possibilities. For example, in November 2021, Mike predicted that Bitcoin would reach new all-time highs during what he called “month to month.” True to his prediction, Bitcoin soared to a record $69,000 that month, fully in line with his optimistic outlook.

Ermolaev also expects an influx of institutional investors long before a spot Bitcoin ETF is approved, predicting that this will gradually reduce Bitcoin’s volatility — as more institutions enter the market , this trend is taking shape, thereby increasing the stability of the cryptocurrency landscape.

In addition, he hosts his signature interview series, Mike Ermolaev’s Cryptocurrency Views, Engage with prominent leaders in the cryptocurrency and tech space and hear directly from industry pioneers. Among them, he is be interviewed Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino talks about the resilience of the world’s largest stablecoin and Tether’s philanthropic initiatives; Google Web3 leader Allen Day on the integration of blockchain and cloud; Ripple President Monica Long on regulatory challenges; and Bitget CEO Gracy Chen on gender bias in cryptocurrency and promoting inclusivity.

Outside of the crypto space, Mike has interviewed some big names, including Grammy Award-winning drummer Matt Sorum, who has worked with Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, hip-hop artist French Montana, and even royalty –Prince Philip of Serbia— has demonstrated his unique ability to connect cryptocurrencies to broader cultural and social conversations.