Cryptocurrency: Could it be the pinnacle of rhythmic digital coding?

Vibe coding has emerged as a popular trend among start-ups and tech firms, with CEOs increasingly using it to save costs and create innovative tools without hiring engineers. But what is it, and is it suitable for the crypto industry?

The term "vibe coding" was first coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy in February 2025. It refers to a method of using AI to generate codes that developers can use to build applications and tools without needing any prior knowledge of coding. According to Karpathy, this approach allows developers to "fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists."

To vibe code, all the user has to do is describe what kind of code they need in a few sentences, and the AI will generate the necessary code. This means that people with no knowledge of coding can use AI to build software and apps that they previously couldn't due to the coding barrier.

With vibe coding becoming increasingly popular, some builders in the crypto industry have started to consider its use in the space. Companies like aelf Ventures and Y Combinator have been exploring vibe coding as a way to empower new blockchain projects.

Given the crypto and web3 industry's emphasis on fast-paced development and welcoming new innovations and tools, vibe coding could fill the need for rapid creation and become an entry point for potential crypto industry players with no coding knowledge.

So, is vibe coding a perfect fit for the crypto industry?

How can vibe coding benefit the crypto industry?

Some traders have highlighted the need for more developers to create tools and innovations on-chain. One user with the handle @0xNairolf on X said that the crypto industry needs to focus more on developer onboarding rather than user onboarding.

Others have pointed out that the crypto industry should provide more tools to make it easier for developers to build innovative apps on-chain. Some users have also noted that developers are leaving crypto because it has become harder for them to build new projects due to the need for niche coding languages beyond their capabilities.

(not so) hot take:

crypto has a bigger developer onboarding problem than user onboarding

In this context, vibe coding could solve the developer onboarding problem by lowering the technical entry barrier. Non-technical founders or teams with limited coding expertise can describe their ideas to AI and have it generate the necessary code. This way, more people with unique ideas but no coding experience could join the crypto industry as builders and introduce new innovations through AI-generated coding.

With the help of AI, teams could focus on the less technical aspects of establishing projects in the crypto space, such as funding, tokenomics, user experience, and blockchain solutions. This method could be especially beneficial for complex crypto projects where aligning technical execution with broader economic or governance models is critical.

In the crypto industry, where new protocols and regulatory changes emerge frequently, speed is a crucial element. Therefore, vibe coding could speed up the building process and allow teams to churn out new innovations to keep up with the demand of a rapidly evolving industry.

The potential drawbacks of vibe coding for crypto projects

Despite the discourse surrounding developer onboarding in the crypto space, one user with the handle @metahacker on X argued that the problem doesn't lie with the lack of developers or tools in the space. Instead, they believe that the nature of crypto projects itself makes the technical foundation an even more determining factor.

"The fact that you’re dealing with money AND smart contracts can’t be updated easily AND rampant exploits," wrote @metahacker in their post.

Therefore, the user discourages developers or project teams from relying on "the 'vibe coding' kind of tinkering."

While AI has become quite advanced, there are still some flaws that can be found. AI-generated code can be messy and inconsistent. The code produced through vibe coding often lacks the structure and documentation of hand-written code. As projects grow, developers with limited technical knowledge will find it difficult to make updates or deploy system integrations.

Another key factor to consider is security. When it comes to projects in the crypto industry, security is critical, and even minor bugs or vulnerabilities can be disastrous. Without a deep understanding of the underlying logic, flaws might go unnoticed until they are exploited.

For instance, an entrepreneur from Florida used Cursor, an AI coding tool, to develop a new enterprise-software app. He claimed that he built the app with "zero hand-written code" and that people were already paying for the app.

However, two days later, he announced that his software was "under attack." Because he did not understand the technicalities of the app, he had a harder time solving the issues that arose. In the end, he "killed the app" and was forced to rebuild it.

Overall, vibe coding does provide some advantages for the crypto industry, mainly in terms of lowering technical barriers and speeding up progress for building projects and tools. However, it also comes with drawbacks that emphasize how engineering capabilities and expert oversight are still key ingredients when it comes to building projects in the crypto industry.