Frank DeGods Steps Away from DeGods: A Quiet Exit from a Loud Space

In a move that’s sparking both support and speculation, Frank DeGods, the creator behind one of the most talked-about NFT projects, is officially stepping away.

Frank, whose real name is Rohun Vora, announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter). The message was simple but left plenty of questions. “I’m not on the run,” he wrote. “There are no investigations. I’ve never done anything illegal.” That was the headline, but what followed painted a broader picture.

The Beginning of DeGods

To understand this moment, we have to rewind to 2021. That’s when Vora founded DeGods and y00ts, two NFT projects that gained massive traction during the NFT boom. These weren’t just profile pictures. They became cultural staples in the Web3 space.

Frank wasn’t just a founder, he became the face. With his pseudonymous online presence, “Frank DeGods” became a brand. A loud one. One that made headlines, stirred conversations, and divided opinions.

Over time, though, that spotlight got heavier.

Leaving for the Right Reasons?

In his farewell message, Vora admitted something rare: that the "Frank DeGods" persona might have been holding the project back. “The brand started to overshadow the work,” he suggested.

He also touched on the wave of hate he’s faced online. “It was overdone,” he said. “The internet makes it easy to forget people are human.” It was an honest admission. And maybe that’s what this whole exit is about separating the man from the myth.

Still, many in the NFT space are wondering why now. The timing is curious. The project is still running. The NFT space, while quieter than in 2021, is far from dead. And Vora, for all the criticism, still commands a loyal following.

Not on the Run But Not Without Controversy

Vora’s departure comes amid a turbulent time in crypto influencer circles. He’s one of several figures linked to a loosely connected group called the “LA Vape Cabal.”

The name sounds like a meme, and maybe it started as one. Yet, it represents a cluster of influencers in LA who were deeply involved in promoting memecoins and other crypto ventures.

Some of the other names involved include Faze Banks (Richard Bengtson) and Threadguy (Michael Jerome). All three had to do damage control after being linked to the LIBRA token, a memecoin reportedly backed by Argentinian President Javier Milei.

Here’s the story: Some users began accusing the trio of insider trading after the token launch. Vora didn’t help matters when he posted on X that he had “insider info.” He later walked it back, saying it was just a joke that backfired hard.

The Fallout from LIBRA and Hawk Tuah

The LIBRA situation wasn’t the only controversy. The “LA Vape Cabal” also caught heat over a token called Hawk Tuah, launched by Haliey Welch, a viral TikTok personality. Welch appeared on an episode hosted by the Cabal to explain the token’s origin, but the episode leaked early, and some accused Welch’s team of trading on the info before the release.

Bengtson later said Welch’s team was responsible for the leak and had profited unfairly. No formal charges have been made in any of these incidents, but the damage was done.

After these events, the influencers have mostly gone quiet. Streams are fewer, and posts are more measured. The hype that once followed every meme launch seems to have cooled.

Frank’s New Chapter

In Vora’s words, “It’s been fun. Time to finally hit the gym.” It’s the kind of casual sign-off that fits his online style, which is informal, a little cheeky, but final.

He didn’t say what’s next, just a handoff.

Vora named @pastagotsauce and @0x_chill as the new stewards of DeGods. Both are longtime community members. Both understand the culture. The hope is that they’ll bring new energy and maybe less controversy to the project.

What’s Next for DeGods?

DeGods still hold weight in the NFT world. It still has a strong community, and its floor price is relatively stable compared to many other NFT projects. But like any brand, it faces the challenge of reinventing itself in a market that’s maturing and quieting.

NFTs aren’t dead, but they’re no longer the hot-topic buzzword they once were. The speculative mania has cooled. What’s left are the builders, the artists, and the diehards.

For DeGods to stay relevant, it may need to shed some of its baggage, and that might be exactly what Vora’s exit allows.

Why This Story Matters

Frank DeGods' leaving isn’t just about one man stepping down. It’s about how we treat creators in the Web3 space. It’s about how public image and social media pressure can build someone up and wear them down.

It’s also a reminder that projects built on community and culture need clear leadership but also space to evolve.

We’ve seen it happen before. Founders like Larva Labs stepped back from CryptoPunks. Others, like Yuga Labs with Bored Ape Yacht Club, have handed off creative control or brought in more traditional executives to stabilise things.

What happens next with DeGods may set a tone for the next generation of NFT leadership.

Final Thoughts

Frank DeGods helped define an era in NFTs. He made noise, built something big, and became a face of crypto culture. His kind of influence is rare and hard to walk away from.

But walk away he has. Not with a bang, but with a sigh, and maybe even relief.

In the end, this isn’t a scandal. It’s not an implosion. It’s just a founder taking a step back for his own peace and maybe for the project’s future.