In the aftermath of the 2022 crypto crash, when investor confidence wavered and ecosystems faltered, a unique NFT project emerged from the wreckage—not just surviving but thriving. Mad Lads, a PFP (profile picture) collection on Solana, has become more than just digital art. It’s a symbol of resilience, community strength, and cultural momentum in a space often driven by speculation.
At the heart of this movement is Tristan Yver, co-founder of both Mad Lads and Backpack—a crypto wallet and exchange platform. His journey from customer support at FTX to leading one of Solana’s most influential communities reflects a broader shift in how value is created in Web3: not just through technology, but through authentic human connection.
The Rise of Mad Lads on Solana
Launched on April 21, 2023, after a year-long curated allowlist process, Mad Lads minted at 6.9 SOL (approximately $144 at the time). This wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan drop—it was a deliberate effort to build a tight-knit, passionate group of early believers.
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The timing was critical. The collapse of FTX had shaken trust in Solana and the broader crypto ecosystem. But Mad Lads arrived as a rallying point. By December 2023, during Solana’s resurgence, the collection reached an all-time high floor price of 218 SOL, placing it among the top five PFP projects across all blockchains. Today, its floor hovers around 70 SOL (~$11,060)—a testament to enduring demand.
Yver attributes this success not to hype or promises of utility, but to something deeper: trauma bonding.
“Basically, it was this mutual trauma. It’s what’s called trauma bonding. There was this really strong trauma bonding throughout the community that made these people irreplaceable.”
This shared experience—losing money in Luna, surviving FTX, enduring the bear market—created an unbreakable bond. Members weren’t just collectors; they were comrades who had weathered the storm together.
Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, reportedly told Yver that Mad Lads reignited energy in the ecosystem after its darkest period. “It was because these people were so connected,” Yver recalls. “They brought the energy back.”
Tristan Yver’s Origin Story: From FTX to Community Builder
Before Mad Lads, Yver’s path was anything but traditional. He worked his way up from customer support at FTX, eventually launching The FTX Podcast—a role inspired by his wife and fueled by initiative.
“I did every job you can imagine,” he says. “Landscaping, serving, commercial fishing, apprentice electrician. I put myself through college.”
His rise wasn’t handed to him—it was earned. When Armani Ferrante invited him to co-found Backpack in early 2022, Yver transitioned out of FTX responsibilities by mid-year, though he continued hosting the podcast until the exchange collapsed.
“Obviously, after the collapse, everything just went to absolute shit.”
But from that chaos came clarity. Yver and Ferrante focused on building real infrastructure: first the Backpack wallet, then Mad Lads, and now the Backpack exchange—a “triple threat” strategy that covers on-chain, off-chain, and cultural layers of crypto.
The Power of Community as Distribution
What sets Mad Lads apart is its role as a decentralized marketing vehicle. In an environment saturated with noise, projects struggle to gain traction. But Mad Lads holders have proven their influence time and again.
Projects like Wormhole have airdropped tokens directly to Lads holders—recognizing their reach and engagement. This isn’t accidental; it’s a direct result of organic activity.
“The Lads are this megaphone that can take anything happening and throw it out into the world,” Yver explains.
Unlike most NFT projects that promised endless utility and failed to deliver, Mad Lads adopted a bold stance: “No utility, this is a rug, send it to zero.”
It was sarcastic—but effective. It filtered out speculators and attracted those who genuinely loved the art and culture.
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Over time, even those drawn by airdrops filtered out. The core remained: a group united by passion, not profit.
Culture Over Code: Lessons from Bitcoin and Satoshi
Yver draws inspiration from Bitcoin’s origins—not just its technology, but its cultural awakening.
“It wasn’t just that Satoshi solved the double-spend problem. It was that he published it into the wild.”
Cypherpunks and libertarians became evangelists. They spread the idea. That intersection of technology and culture is what Yver wanted to replicate.
With Backpack’s early smart wallet concept shelved due to Solana transaction limits, the team pivoted toward xNFTs—decentralized apps within a single interface. The vision? A crypto WeChat.
But they realized they needed more than tech—they needed a tribe.
Enter Mad Lads.
The “Fock It” Ethos: Passion Over Permission
The name Mad Lads doesn’t imply anger—it signifies madness in passion.
“I describe the Mad Lads as people mad enough to think they can change the world,” Yver says.
Catchphrases like “Fock It,” “Lads On Top,” and “WAO” (We Are One) reflect a carefree defiance—a rejection of external judgment.
“Who cares what other people think? Who cares about limitations? I’m just going to go and Fock It.”
It’s a spin on Nike’s “Just Do It,” but with a crypto-native edge. And it resonated.
Merchandise helped spread the message, but the community took ownership—wearing hoodies, shouting slogans, turning ideology into identity.
FAQ: Understanding Mad Lads and Its Impact
Q: What makes Mad Lads different from other NFT projects?
A: Unlike projects focused on utility or roadmaps, Mad Lads prioritizes culture and connection. Its strength comes from trauma-bonded community members who stay for the art and each other—not short-term gains.
Q: Why did Mad Lads succeed when so many NFTs failed?
A: Timing, authenticity, and resilience. It launched post-FTX when Solana needed revival. Its founders emphasized quality art and deep community curation over hype.
Q: Is owning a Mad Lad still valuable in 2025?
A: Yes—both culturally and financially. With consistent airdrop allocations and elite status on Solana, it remains a gateway to new opportunities in Web3.
Q: What role does Backpack play in the ecosystem?
A: Backpack integrates wallet (on-chain), exchange (off-chain), and NFT (culture) layers—creating a full-circle experience for users deeply embedded in Solana.
Q: How can someone join the Mad Lads community?
A: Entry is primarily through purchasing a NFT from secondary markets like Magic Eden. However, active participation—not ownership—is what truly defines membership.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Community-Led Innovation
Yver envisions Backpack becoming a top-tier exchange and wallet within three years—and Mad Lads ranking among the world’s top three NFT collections.
His advice for founders?
“There are no shortcuts. You need incredible art and infinite time spent curating community.”
And for surviving crypto long-term?
“Don’t use leverage. Survive. As long as you survive, you’ll be okay.”
In an industry obsessed with disruption, Mad Lads reminds us that some of the oldest human forces—shared struggle, passion, and belonging—are still the most powerful drivers of innovation.
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Core Keywords: Mad Lads, Tristan Yver, Solana NFTs, NFT community, crypto trauma bonding, Backpack wallet, PFP projects, Web3 culture