Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, addressed participants in the crypto industry, urging them to prioritize user freedom in an era when Web3 faces increasing corporate control.
Buterin's Warnings
Buterin compared the current state of the crypto industry to the early days of the internet, warning against repeating mistakes that led to the loss of freedom and control. He emphasized the importance of remembering how the spirit of freedom characteristic of the 1990s internet was ultimately undermined by corporate influence.
Culture of Freedom vs Corporate Control
He appealed to the cultural roots of the cypherpunk movement, which focused on privacy and resistance to censorship. Buterin cautioned that as blockchain evolves and institutional interests grow, there is a risk of sacrificing decentralization and freedom for growth and comfort.
Call to Action for Web3 Builders
Buterin posed the question to developers: "Are you making your users more free?" Emphasizing that cryptographic tools have moral and societal significance, he called on Web3 builders to be vigilant about their project goals, to avoid becoming "gatekeepers and technocrats."
Buterin highlighted the need to preserve ideals of freedom and decentralization within Web3, stressing the importance of a moral approach to technology development.
