Vitalik Buterin reflects on his meeting with Putin, depicts the FTX collapse

In a recent introspective blog post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin candidly addressed the complexities of his journey in the crypto world and its intersection with global politics.

Buterin’s revelations, particularly concerning his ‘unintended’ legitimization of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his observations on the cryptocurrency industry’s volatility, provide a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the crypto world’s most influential figures.

Buterin recounted an experience in 2017 when he met with Vladimir Putin. Initially, he didn’t perceive this meeting as an endorsement of Putin’s regime. However, upon reflection, he now views it as an unwitting legitimization of a controversial political figure. This acknowledgment represents a significant shift in Buterin’s perception of his actions, highlighting the ethical complexities tech leaders face when interacting with global politics.

“Now, five years later, I finally realized that (i) I had been complicit in legitimizing a genocidal dictator, and (ii) within the crypto space too, I no longer had the luxury of sitting back and letting mystical “other people” run the show.”

– Vitalik Buterin

The Ethereum founder also delved into how his perception changed during the downfall of Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. This incident was a stark reminder of the impermanent and often unpredictable nature of leadership within the crypto community. Buterin observed that many individuals he once viewed as guiding lights in the industry were no longer present or had lost their standing. This realization highlights the ephemeral nature of influence and the rapid evolution within the crypto sector.

Buterin’s reflection on the FTX collapse underscores the importance of ethical stewardship and vigilant leadership in crypto. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rapid growth and the need for transparency and accountability in the industry. The event, coupled with his personal experiences, points to a maturing perspective where Buterin acknowledges his actions’ significant responsibilities and potential impacts in the broader tech and political landscapes.

These reflections were a broader part of Buterin’s seven-chapter long blog, where he revisited his experience, learnings, successes, and failures in the crypto industry. With these reflections, Buterin re-iterated that he no longer wants to be the face of crypto, rather he thinks “people a full decade younger” are more deserving of that role today.