Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has expressed concern over a perceived moral shift within the cryptocurrency industry, particularly related to criticism of Ethereum’s stance on blockchain-based gambling. During a recent Ask Me Anything session, Buterin was candid about his disappointment with the backlash against Ethereum for not supporting casinos on the blockchain. He recalled a critical remark suggesting that Ethereum was “bad” and “intolerant” for not embracing such applications, unlike other blockchain platforms.
Buterin warned that if this shift represents a broader moral reversal within the blockchain community, his interest in participating further would wane. However, he emphasized that his interactions with community members offline have offered him reassurance that the core values of the crypto space remain unchanged. He reaffirmed his commitment to the community, highlighting his responsibility to help shape a positive future.
In line with this commitment, Buterin acknowledged the need for potential changes within the Ethereum Foundation’s approach. He suggested that the foundation might not remain neutral at the application layer, indicating possible support for specific project types over a broad neutrality stance.
This comes on the heels of recent changes in the Ethereum Foundation’s funding strategy. Criticism had arisen over the foundation’s decision to sell Ether to finance operations, with community members advocating for alternative decentralized finance solutions. Responding to these concerns, the foundation recently allocated 45,000 ETH, valued at $120 million, to decentralized finance platforms such as Aave, Spark, and Compound. The move was well-received by the community, which hailed it as a positive development for Ethereum.
The foundation has indicated this is just the beginning, with plans to explore staking and seeking community input for further initiatives.
