Crypto Projects Going Silent in a Bear Market is a Mistake: Outset PR Makes the Case
As crypto markets cool and valuations retreat, many blockchain startups are opting for silence. Founders cite focus: heads-down building, runway conservation, and preparation for the next cycle. But a growing group of communications strategists argues that going dark may be the costliest decision of all.
Visibility in a Vacuum
In bull markets, everyone is competing for attention. Projects scramble for media coverage, partnerships, and influencer alignment. But in downturns, that noise dissipates along with a key opportunity.
“When the market quiets, that’s when attention becomes more valuable—not less,” says Mike Ermolaev, founder of Outset PR, a boutique communications firm specializing in blockchain and AI. “The brands that stay present during bear phases build familiarity and trust. They don’t need to reintroduce themselves when the cycle turns. They’ve been there the whole time.”
That theory is playing out across the sector. Inactive X accounts, outdated blogs, and silent founders have become red flags for investors and partners. Meanwhile, projects that maintain a consistent voice—through expert commentary, roadmap updates, or thought leadership—are seeing a compound effect: sustained community engagement, higher brand recall, and continued investor interest.
PR as Infrastructure, Not Accessory
The challenge isn’t just visibility—it’s credibility. In frothy periods, hype and speculation dominate the feed. But in contraction cycles, audiences become more discerning. That’s where strategic communications comes in.
“Bear markets reward clarity and substance,” Ermolaev explains. “It’s not about spin—it’s about surfacing the right milestones and positioning the story in a broader market context.”
Rather than flood the media with announcements, savvy teams are deploying PR like infrastructure: delivering narrative consistency, aligning with macro trends, and offering commentary when the industry lacks trusted voices.
The Outset PR Playbook
Outset PR stands firm at the intersection of performance analytics and media strategy. Founded by Ermolaev—one of the crypto sector’s most recognizable communications experts—the agency applies a workshop-style model, building each campaign with product-market fit in mind.
“We don’t sell placements,” Ermolaev says. “We design campaigns that align with how markets move and how narratives spread.”
Key components of the firm’s approach include:
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Discovery-driven media selection, based on metrics like domain authority, engagement rates, and syndication potential.
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Tailored pitch development for each outlet’s tone and audience.
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Editorial sequencing, allowing stories to unfold in sync with sentiment shifts.
While some PR firms offer static packages, Outset PR builds each campaign dynamically—drawing from real-time analytics and media trend monitoring. As a result, communications feel contextual, not generic.
The agency’s results suggest the model works. Outset PR spearheaded ChangeNOW’s campaign, which resulted in a 40% expansion of its user base, thanks to a combination of organic PR and traffic-generating content. Another example is the case of StealthEX, a crypto exchange that has secured 26 media placements with an estimated reach of 3.62 billion.
Outset also deploys targeted outreach models for early-stage clients, focusing on syndication triggers and visibility layers that boost SEO and search discoverability.
Communications in a Cautious Market
With venture funding in crypto down year-over-year and retail participation lagging, many founders are recalibrating priorities. But if there’s one area where cutbacks can backfire, it’s brand communications.
“Media still needs sources. Investors still read. Developers still listen,” says Ermolaev. “If you’re not part of the conversation now, you may be invisible later—when it matters most.”
Outset PR sees its role not just as an amplifier, but as a builder of narrative infrastructure—one that connects teams to attention, even in contraction phases.
And in crypto, where momentum turns fast, that infrastructure may be the only kind worth investing in year-round.
You can find more information about Outset PR here:
Website: outsetpr.ioTelegram: t.me/outsetprX: x.com/OutsetPR
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advi
