The Aleph Zero Collapse Explained: From Resignation to Rebirth

On May 23, 2025, Aleph Zero (AZERO) faced one of the most dramatic moments in its short but promising history. The price of AZERO nosedived 52% in a matter of hours. Its co-founder resigned. And a new chain—Common—was announced by the very people who helped build Aleph Zero in the first place. The Aleph Zero collapse is one of the most dramatic episodes in recent crypto history.

Here’s the full story behind the crash, the resignation, and what comes next.

A Rising Star That Lost Its Way

Launched in 2021, Aleph Zero began as a privacy-focused Layer 1 blockchain. It stood out for its emphasis on scientific research, zero-knowledge proofs, and real-world privacy infrastructure.

At its peak, AZERO was among the top 100 coins by market cap. But just three years later, it dropped below rank #1250, erasing over \$200 million in value.

The fall wasn’t just market-driven—it was rooted in internal cracks.

The Crash That Sparked Questions

On May 23, 2025, AZERO suddenly plunged from around $0.10 to $0.05 within hours.

This unexpected drop fueled panic across social media.

Speculation spread: Was there an internal selloff? Was the foundation out of funds? Was something bigger unfolding behind the scenes?

Then came the confirmation.

The Co-founder Speaks: “There’s No Unified Us Anymore”

Adam Gągol, the informal CEO and co-founder of Aleph Zero, posted a heartfelt thread announcing his resignation from the Aleph Zero Foundation.

But this wasn’t a quiet departure.

Adam openly admitted the dysfunction within the organization and wrote the now-infamous line:
“There’s no unified us anymore.”

What Caused the Aleph Zero Collapse?

According to Adam’s statement, the project’s issues went far deeper than price action:

• Leadership denial and internal dysfunction
• Broken promises to the community
• Treasury mismanagement
• Poor communication from the Aleph Zero Foundation (AZF)
• A fear of admitting mistakes

Aleph Zero, despite its strong tech, was failing as an organization.

Enter: Common — A Clean Break

Adam didn’t walk away from blockchain.

He and several key members of the original team are launching Common, a new chain and token built on the same tech as AZERO but with a radically different approach.

This isn’t a pivot. It’s a clean break.

Common represents:

• A reset in leadership
• A new treasury structure
• Radical transparency
• A mission to correct the mistakes of AZF

Will AZERO Holders Be Compensated?

Yes. A snapshot was taken of all AZERO wallets on May 23 at 11:00 CEST.

The plan includes:

• An airdrop of the new token
• Exclusion of AZF treasury wallets
• Inclusion of only community-held addresses

It’s more than a rebrand—it’s a redistribution of trust.

Who’s Behind Common?

The development is being led by Cardinal Cryptography, the same team responsible for Aleph Zero’s original tech stack.

Adam Gągol is now the majority shareholder of Cardinal. With a token-free runway and independent capital, the team is moving swiftly.

Their goal? Ship fast. Communicate openly. Rebuild trust.

What Is Common Building?

• Still built on AZERO’s tech stack
• Focused on privacy infrastructure
• No token sales planned—at least initially
• A new public chain with fundraising on the horizon

Common is not Aleph Zero 2.0. It’s an explicit admission that the old system failed—and an attempt to do it right this time.

The Big Lesson?

Transparency isn’t optional in crypto. When leadership hides or stalls, the market reacts with ruthless efficiency.

Adam’s resignation and full disclosure weren’t just damage control—they were a signal flare: this isn’t working, and we’re starting over.

Will the Community Trust Again?

Many in the community are still hurt by Aleph Zero’s collapse. Rightfully so.

But Common is trying something bold:

• Starting fresh with new leadership
• Eliminating the baggage of the AZF
• Putting community first from Day 1

Skepticism is high—but so is curiosity.

Final Thoughts

The Aleph Zero collapse shocked the crypto world—$200M wiped out, the founder resigned, and a new chain called Common is rising from the ruins.

Common is launching with noise. This might be one of the most radical leadership resets we’ve seen in crypto history.

Now the spotlight is on the team behind Common—to see if they can rebuild something worth believing in.