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Two years ago, Maya invited me to join Daedalus Labs as UX lead: a role I proudly took on. Since then, we’ve worked closely on building a bold Bitcoin vision for Suriname. It wasn’t easy. Building a startup never is, let alone one challenging systemic corruption.

But Maya dared to try. And I deeply respect her for that.

Maya embodies the spirit of a true Bitcoiner: brave, principled, resourceful. Not perfect, but real. And that realness is rare.

Along the way, we became friends. We’ve had highs and lows, in business and life. It’s no secret that she’s going through a difficult time now. I believe it’s rooted in a heavy cocktail of postpartum challenges, chronic stress, trauma, and sleep deprivation. It’s painful to witness. And yes, it can lead to erratic behavior and damaged trust.

But let’s not pretend we know everything. The situation in Suriname is complex, and so is the position Maya put herself in. She made herself a target, not for ego, but for the hope of change. That takes guts.

Still, mistakes were made. Wrong people trusted. Hard truths said at the wrong time. I hope she takes time off now, to heal, to breathe, to gain clarity. Whether she returns to the public stage or not is her decision.

What we can do as a community is this:

Hold space. Show compassion. Stay critical without turning cold.

Because Maya is not a scammer. She never enriched herself. She’s one of the most selfless people I’ve met. And like any strong spirit, she’s still human, flawed, overwhelmed, and in need of support.

I stand with her, in truth, not blind loyalty. And I hope more people choose empathy over easy judgment.

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Discussion

fractalchris 8mo ago

All the best to Maya, and to you 🙏

Ralphie 8mo ago

Thank you, Chris!

DuBiBo 8mo ago

I don't pretend to have any inside knowledge, but the picture you paint pretty much addresses the complex outings we've seen lately. It became clear she's fighting some internal deamons right now.

There have been many bitcoin 'vips' in the past burning themselves on their popularity and accompanying pressures.

It's the dark side of being an independant thinker in a group that confirms you, while most of us need some stable footing that makes us aware of our own faults. Negative feedback loops are important.

Ralphie 8mo ago

Exactly. We’ve seen this pattern before – time and time again. It’s part of every cycle. New thought “leaders” emerge, push things forward (or sometimes backward), and either rise or fall. Some survive and evolve, others burn out or get sidelined. Such is life.

That said, it’s crucial to read between the lines in this situation.

Those accusing Maya of misleading people carry the burden of proof. If there are serious claims, they should come with hard evidence, not just vibes or opinions. And to be fair, pushback was inevitable. Bitcoin adoption is tough. Especially in a geographically isolated country like Suriname, where getting the right people with the right skills is a challenge in itself.

I know Maya as someone who takes responsibility when she messes up, but also as someone who speaks up when she sees injustice. She has every right to defend herself and clarify the narrative. That said, some things she said or did have come back to haunt her, some self-inflicted, some twisted by others.

From what I observe, her critics generally fall into three camps:

1. The sensationalist narcissists – people more focused on clout than truth, framing this as “yet another failed leader” to boost their own rep.

2. The local skeptics – people on the ground who have real concerns about her communication or leadership style. Some of these critiques are valid; others seem taken out of context to mask their own lack of results.

3. The narrative-builders – those actively constructing false or misleading storylines to discredit her, mixing facts with fiction to fit a convenient conclusion.

This isn’t black and white. Maya isn’t a saint, but she’s definitely not a scammer either. The truth, as always, lives somewhere in the messy middle.

I’m sharing this because I believe it’s important to speak up when things feel one-sided. Not to defend everything, but to offer some perspective — especially when someone’s intentions get lost in the noise. I still believe in the power of people who dare to try.

DuBiBo 8mo ago

I'm in the camp 'if nuance fits the bill next to emotional outbursts, however well intended by the individuals crying out, nuance probably has more merit' and bide my time. We'll find out later.

If you're one of the last pillars of trust and integrity she can lean on, time will tell if she either got to you too or you both are rocks weathering this shitstorm. Either case, impressed to see you sticking to this as I'm for now still leaning towards nuance.