Justin Sun: Traffic, Controversy, and Libertarianism

Two months ago, Justin Sun celebrated his 34th birthday.

Before turning 30, his aura stemmed from a long list of impressive titles: Peking University graduate, cover figure of Asia Weekly, University of Pennsylvania graduate, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, the youngest student in Jack Ma’s Hupan University’s first class…

At 22, he started a business while studying abroad, and by 24, after returning to China as Ripple Labs’ Chief Representative for Greater China, he founded Raybo and became its CEO. At 25, he was named “China Internet Newcomer of the Year” by CNTV, at 27 he founded the blockchain platform TRON, and in the same year, he was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. At 29, he famously bid on a lunch with Warren Buffett…

However, along with these achievements, Sun has always been in the eye of the storm, with media and industry insiders questioning his bold business tactics, frequent self-promotion, and the compliance of his projects. Some praise him for being a trailblazer, while others criticize him for being too flamboyant. Sun seems indifferent to these external evaluations, whether they are positive or negative.

One thing is clear: each controversy and headline seems to become part of his personal brand.

Nine years ago, in an interview with The Paper in 2015, a journalist wrote: “At 25, Justin Sun is undoubtedly a rising star among millennial entrepreneurs. He shines brightly, yet he’s also controversial. The criticism mainly focuses on his constantly changing trajectory and the almost obsessive passion he exhibits after starting his business.”

Today, at 34, Justin Sun remains at the forefront of the blockchain industry, with every move he makes closely watched. His nearly obsessive passion, like an invisible force, keeps pushing him forward.

"Prime Minister" Justin Sun of Liberland
Recently, Justin Sun earned a new title—Prime Minister Sun.

On October 10th, according to Twitter (X) user @tier10k, an unofficial micro-nation called Liberland announced the results of its latest parliamentary election, revealing that Justin Sun had won and was nominated by Liberland’s president, Vit Jedlička, as acting Prime Minister.

On October 11th, Justin Sun confirmed his appointment as Prime Minister of Liberland on social media.

Liberland's official statement mentioned that the election process concluded on October 6th, Central European Time, at 5 AM. This election marked the full deployment of the nation’s blockchain-based electoral system, which aimed to ensure transparency and eliminate any doubts about the results.

What is Liberland?
According to Wikipedia, the Free Republic of Liberland is a micronation claiming sovereignty over a parcel of land known as Gornja Siga, located between Croatia and Serbia on the west bank of the Danube River. It was founded on April 13, 2015, by Czech politician Vit Jedlička.

Sun described Liberland as not only a country but also a political ideology promoting freedom, minimal government intervention, and individual autonomy. He envisions Liberland as a symbol of libertarian ideals globally, calling it a spiritual home for libertarians. Sun emphasized that Liberland is the first country whose relationships with its citizens are based on shared principles and values rather than bloodlines or geographical boundaries. Everything is built on voluntary participation and mutual respect.

He intends to actively promote the concept of small government, both within Liberland and as a global model. He believes that Liberland’s success could inspire other countries to embrace libertarian principles, showing that minimal government can lead to stability and prosperity without excessive regulation or force.

This recent appointment recalls Sun’s tenure in 2021 as Grenada's Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

As always, Justin Sun’s actions are full of surprises, constantly challenging conventional notions of entrepreneurship. His frequent forays into new domains often astonish the public and provoke commentary and debate. As some joke, “Justin’s at it again.”

Under Scrutiny: Justin Sun
Whether it’s becoming Prime Minister of Liberland or making waves in the cryptocurrency world and global politics, Sun’s actions always spark debate.

Supporters say he breaks traditional rules and boundaries, merging libertarianism with innovation. Critics, on the other hand, see him as a manipulator of public opinion through “traffic,” skating along the edges of regulations and exploiting opportunities.

Challenging the rules seems to be his typical path, and it's precisely this continuous challenge to traditional authority and systems that keeps him at the center of public scrutiny. People wonder: is he truly fighting for freedom, or is he simply amassing more capital and influence for himself?

Media often portray him in a one-dimensional light, simplifying his statements and actions. This oversimplification affects the public’s understanding of him and makes discussions about him more shallow and polarized, missing the deeper layers of his impact on the industry.

We observe his achievements while questioning his motives. For someone who consistently challenges authority and institutions, it’s natural to wonder: what is his ultimate goal?

Justin Sun’s career can be seen as an ongoing game, and his ventures across various fields reveal the challenges faced by millennial entrepreneurs.

Thus, Justin Sun is not only a scrutinized public figure but also an individual wrestling with the balance between self-expression and public expectations. Understanding him requires a more nuanced perspective, beyond simple labels and biases, to grasp his complexity fully.

The "Introvert" Justin Sun
Over the years, Sun’s appearance seems unchanged. At formal events, he’s always in a suit, often hiding a logo-branded T-shirt under his blazer, paired with a clean pair of Nike sneakers and casual trousers.

To outsiders, he might seem like an open book, but insiders claim to know him well enough.

What many might not know is that behind his talkative and seemingly in-control exterior, Justin Sun is actually a typical "I" (introverted) person.

Sun has taken the test himself and is a standard INTP personality type, also known as the "Logician."

The INTP personality type, one of the 16 in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), is characterized by calmness and rationality. INTPs love to dig into the core of issues, seeking deep thought rather than surface-level understanding. Famous INTPs include Bill Gates and Albert Einstein. These individuals are often ahead of their time, adept at spotting logical connections that others might miss.

Although he is introverted, Sun’s sensitivity and interest in emerging technologies, especially in the blockchain space, are unmatched.

HTX spokesperson Six (@HTX_liuyego) revealed: “At Justin Sun's level of INTP, his awareness is often ahead of others. He’s always able to break out of conventional thinking and spot future trends that most people don’t see. He has an acute understanding of new things, especially in blockchain and technological innovation.”

Sun's personality is such that he dares to break norms and is always curious about what’s new. His independent thinking and unconventional decision-making have often led to external skepticism and misunderstanding, but he doesn’t seem to care about these voices. In his own world, everything already has its own answer.

The "Workaholic" Justin Sun
Last month, the community started jokingly calling Justin Sun the "Workaholic of Web3," a genuine Builder in the industry.

You’ll notice that Justin Sun has been active in the blockchain space for over a decade.

Many of his contemporaries have either retired or stepped out of the spotlight.

Recently, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin made headlines due to relationship rumors, while the single Justin Sun became another subject of community discussion.

In a May podcast called The Opener, Sun mentioned that he barely takes any holidays. Whether it’s a workday or a holiday, he’s always on call, working around the clock.

When asked about his work-life philosophy, Sun replied, "Everything can be set aside for work. At this stage, work is the only important thing, and everything else can be sacrificed for it. I see myself like a professional athlete, training every day, aiming for peak performance."

Some wonder if he ever sleeps, as he always seems energized, surfing social media 24/7 and staying remarkably agile on any trending topic.

In that podcast, he said he sometimes wishes to be like AI or a robot, striving to minimize emotional fluctuations.

"Running a company is my only hobby."

His passion for entrepreneurship and business is so strong that he has invested almost all his time and energy into it.

Over time, Sun’s once-flamboyant personality seems to have mellowed. Now, he focuses solely on doing what needs to be done, like improving TRON and helping HTX "reclaim its top three" status.

At HTX’s 11th-anniversary event in August, Sun shared his vision for the future of the platform, remarking that operating for 11 years is, in a way, a success in itself.

He then launched into his usual talkative mode:

"Jack Ma once said that most Japanese companies have been around for over a hundred years. We also want to be a century-old company, though this is especially difficult in the financial sector. But we will keep working toward that goal. In the Web3 space, it's even rarer for a company to last 11 years, but HTX has done it. In the past 11 years, our industry has grown tremendously. In the crypto space, anything is possible."