A crypto project's long-term prospects depend on three critical factors. First, it needs a passionate community willing to hold through volatility—those committed believers who won't abandon ship during downturns provide essential stability. Second, active market makers monitoring price action around the clock maintain liquidity and prevent manipulation. Without consistent market participation, even solid projects struggle to attract new participants. Third, and most crucial, founder alignment matters. If core team members prioritize extraction over genuine value creation, the project loses its north star. When incentives are misaligned and leaders view the venture as a quick exit rather than a long-term mission, the entire ecosystem deteriorates. Projects thriving years down the line share this common thread: authentic believers, operational discipline, and founders genuinely committed to building something that lasts.