when crypto markets were high and everyone involved was being rewarded financially for their contributions there was plenty of respect and apparent loyalty.

APPARENT is the key word in that statement. There's a difference between employees who do the bare minimum to get the money, and collaborators with a mutual vision who work toward a goal driven by faith, passion and a group synergy.

If it's all about the money, how do startups even survive the first year or two before they get investors? What makes people invest time and energy while unpaid?

it is just human nature.

No, it's YOUR nature and I respect that. I often wish I was more like you in that aspect. I sell myself too cheap and assume everyone is like me rather than like you. My assumption that people can be driven by non-monetary goals hasn't gotten me very far, so perhaps I should work on adopting your approach: Want my respect and loyalty? Pay up.