This keyword was “FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt)”. It is used in exactly the opposite way in cryptocurrency circles, where it means “you are trying to increase our anxiety with unfounded concerns, and that’s bad”. Words are tricky.
I think this is a consciously ironic usage, similar to “Let me propose a crazy/terrible idea” or “Here’s my completely uninformed opinion”—addressing the potential negative aspect by asserting and exaggerating it. For software people and startup people in particular, FUD is strongly associated with underhanded tactics employed by Microsoft and other large incumbents to suppress competition, and I think is taken for granted to be “obviously evil and dishonest”.
I think this is a consciously ironic usage, similar to “Let me propose a crazy/terrible idea” or “Here’s my completely uninformed opinion”—addressing the potential negative aspect by asserting and exaggerating it. For software people and startup people in particular, FUD is strongly associated with underhanded tactics employed by Microsoft and other large incumbents to suppress competition, and I think is taken for granted to be “obviously evil and dishonest”.