š³ Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko recently weighed in on a discussion sparked by Jupiterās co-founder about whether protocols should prioritize token buybacks or focus on incentives that drive long-term growth. His response centered less on short-term mechanics and more on how durable capital is built over time.
#Yakovenko pointed out that in traditional finance, vehicles designed to last a decade or more often take many years before their structure and returns fully materialize. From his perspective, trying to mirror that long-duration model makes more sense than relying on buybacks, which tend to emphasize immediate price impact rather than sustainable participation.
Within #crypto , he described staking as the closest parallel to this long-term approach. He noted that commitment from long-term participants naturally outweighs the influence of those unwilling to stay invested. His suggestion was to retain protocol earnings in token form that could later be redeemed as protocol assets, rewarding users who lock and stake for extended periods. As the protocolās balance sheet strengthens, those who remain staked would see their relative stake grow alongside it.
