Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin advised the crypto community to avoid choosing political sides based only on their views about cryptocurrency.
Buterin shared his thoughts on social media platform X, urging people not to base their political allegiances solely on who is pro-crypto.
Governments likes control
Buterin expanded on his ideas, and acknowledged that while some regulations, like the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets, the infamous MiCA and the UK’s stablecoin initiatives, seem reasonable, there are also fears about extreme measures.
We’re talking about governments, and nothing is more extreme than governments. There are plans about treating all coins as securities or banning self-hosted wallets.
In response to these fears, there is a growing trend within the crypto community to become more politically active and support parties and candidates mainly based on their alleged friendliness toward crypto.
Buterin warned that this focus could cause people to overlook the broader values that originally inspired the whole crypto movement in the beginning.
Where are the original cypherpunk principles, like the individual freedom? Open source software?
The crypto movement should not just be about financial transactions; it should also promote privacy in communication, digital identity, and thought.
The movement’s roots lie in protecting and enhancing individual freedoms in general, not just financial freedom.
Future fields
Buterin cautioned against backing politicians solely for their pro-crypto stance. He urged the community to consider broader issues like internationalism and freedom beyond cryptocurrency.
He highlighted that being crypto-friendly now doesn’t guarantee the same stance in the future.
He advised checking a politician’s past views on crypto and related topics like encrypted messaging.
This can reveal their true commitment to freedom, even when it doesn’t align with supporting corporations. Historical stances on issues like the copyright wars of the 2000s can provide insights into how their views might change.
The power is calling
Buterin also warned that if a politician is pro-crypto today but is very power-seeking or willing to align with powerful individuals, their crypto advocacy could change negatively in the future.
If they or their powerful allies gain control, this could shape their crypto policies in potentially harmful ways.
He concluded by noting that trying to influence powerful actors to become better often backfires.
