Vitalik Buterin Praises Family’s Role in Ethereum’s Genesis

• Vitalik Buterin credits his family for supporting his journey in Ethereum.
• His parents invested early in ETH and encouraged his coding education.
• Mable Jiang asks how crypto’s volatility has affected his family relationships

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin took to social protocol Tako to express gratitude for his family’s role in his early development. He revealed that his parents were early investors in Ethereum and actively backed his interest in coding.

Expressing admiration for his family, he credited them for their unwavering support throughout his path in the crypto industry. “My father and mother bought Ethereum from the beginning. They have always paid attention to and supported me,” Buterin wrote.

Buterin also acknowledged the influence of his father’s second wife, who had been in his life since childhood. He described her as a maternal figure who provided continuous encouragement and guidance. 

Related: Is Vitalik Cementing Sole Control Over the Ethereum Foundation?

Mable Jiang, a notable figure in the crypto industry, responded to Buterin’s post. She referenced his book, The Ideal: The Genesis of Ethereum’s Blockchain, which he wrote at 25. She noted that the book’s foreword, written by his father, David Buterin, highlighted their close relationship.

Jiang also pointed out that Buterin has been involved in crypto for 14 years and asked how the industry’s ups and downs and work pressures have influenced his family relationships.

“It’s now been fourteen years since you first got involved with Bitcoin. How have the intense fluctuations in the cryptocurrency industry and the pressures of your work affected your relationship with your family?” Jiang asked.

Does Crypto Strain Personal Ties?

While Buterin has yet to respond, the discussion raises broader questions about how crypto’s rapid changes affect personal relationships. 

As one of the most influential figures in the blockchain space, Buterin has been at the forefront of market shifts, regulatory debates, and technological advancements. The high-stakes nature of the industry often places immense pressure on its pioneers, making Jiang’s question particularly relevant.

Debate Swirls Around Buterin’s Ethereum Influence

Buterin’s reflections on his family’s support come amid a broader discussion about his role in Ethereum’s governance. Crypto figure Ameen Soleimani recently polled the community on whether Buterin is more of a “king” or a “prophet” in the Ethereum ecosystem. 

The poll framed his influence in two ways, either as a ruler exercising “hard power” over Ethereum’s governance or as a thought leader guiding the space with “soft power.”

Related: Vitalik Buterin Responds to Poll Questioning His Role in Ethereum: ‘King’ or ‘Prophet’?

The results showed that 80.1% of respondents viewed Buterin as a “prophet,” suggesting that most see him as a philosophical guide rather than a direct authority figure. 

In response, Buterin clarified that he does not hold majority control over the Ethereum Foundation, as some believe. However, his leadership role remains a topic of discussion, as he recently claimed responsibility for selecting EF’s new leadership team.