The article seems to suggest that the role of crypto to these young Chinese individuals is that it forms a means of community and a nonjudgemental channel of new thoughts. I feel it's become quite a trope worldwide actually: a following has ammassed not because of the core tenets of the technology itself, but because it is a story of something new and different, promising progress and a severe and much-needed change. When I was younger I was enamored by something called the Venus project, a movement that aimed to re-architecturalize all of society towards a post-scarcity world. Something utterly enthralling to me at the time. But when I attended enough talks and saw the people I was sitting besides, I saw that all I shared in common was a deep disatisfaction with the status quo and a distrust of authority. I saw that topics of discussion extended into various conspiracies, from 9/11 to illuminati and UFOs and beyond. I felt quite alienated at that point and never looked back. That's what I see when I see crypto. It's not a cult, per se, but it seems to gain buy-in in the same brain lobes.. if that makes sense? People make friends, find common validation, and it all snowballs. I dare say: It was never about the blockchain.