‘ETH Should be Beyond Money,’ Buterin Proposes Cypherpunk Vision

• Vitalik Buterin advocates for a broader vision for ETH beyond finance.
• Buterin explores democratic governance, privacy solutions, and global inclusion.
• He urged developers to consider regions like Argentina and Turkey for tackling financial disparities.

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin is stirring up big ideas for Ethereum, arguing that the ecosystem should not just be about money. According to him, it should be about creating a new way for online interactions freed of controls from big companies in Silicon Valley.

This visionary manifesto came in a recent publication, “The End of My Childhood,” citing snippets from earlier commentary on “Make Ethereum Cypherpunk Again.”

In the article, Buterin discussed a different approach to technology. He compared the usual way tech works, where big companies control everything, to a new vision for Ethereum. This vision includes using Ethereum for banking, communication, and identity verification.

Furthermore, Buterin reflected on feedback received after his initial post, acknowledging a crucial missing element: democratic governance technology. He noted that even centralized tech often overlooks the necessity for tools enabling collective decision-making. This is because they rely on hierarchical structures with CEOs and boards. 

In parallel, Buterin highlighted Ethereum’s historical utilization of rudimentary democratic governance mechanisms. He cited examples like the Carbonvote platform developed by a Shanghai team during contentious decisions.

He disclosed that there was no firm agreement that the outcomes would dictate subsequent actions. Yet, the participatory mechanisms bolstered core developers’ confidence in implementing a series of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).

Another pivotal concept that Buterin explored was the utilization of “zero-knowledge proofs” to safeguard individuals’ privacy while enabling them to authenticate their identities online. Essentially, this innovative approach addresses online privacy breaches and identity theft.

Meanwhile, Buterin urged the developer community to broaden their perspective beyond conventional tech hubs like San Francisco. Specifically, he urged consideration of regions like Argentina, Turkey, or Zambia, where traditional financial systems pose formidable obstacles.

Buterin articulated that amid the challenges lies an opportunity for cryptocurrencies to fulfill a crucial role in addressing fundamental financial disparities. He stressed balancing user experience and decentralization to tackle the problems sustainably and effectively.