Some commentators on X called it “sad.” Others used expletives. Either way, a video of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin went viral and not in a good way.
The crypto community on X.com, rarely known for decorum, blasted Buterin for kneeling before a robot and emitting what sounds like a “meow” sound.
To some, the video underscored why one needs to be “bullish” about Ethereum’s present and future. To others, it was worthy of a Studio Ghibli-style photo edit. Most people kept scrolling. See below.
In the brief clip, Buterin pats the robot on the head after making the unusual sound. While he has yet to comment on the video, the moment has ignited chatter, particularly given Ether’s recent price struggles.
As of publication, Ether has dropped nearly 55% since reclaiming the $4,000 mark in December 2024, now trading at $1,833 — down over 8% in the past week.
Some crypto figures have expressed concern, with commentator “The Count of Monte Crypto” humorously noting that the state of Ether’s price was more worrying than Buterin’s quirky behavior.
And when Buterin tried posting about “how to fund public goods,” he was trolled by the crypto community with statements like: “NO ONE F–KING CARE[S]” and “YOU ARE THE ONLY FOUNDER THAT IS DOING 0 APART FROM DUMPING YOUR AIRDROPS! WAKE UP VITALIK.”
It’s noteworthy that Buterin has long been known for being quirky and, according to a recent Bloomberg feature, “monkish.”
But his behavior occasionally invites scrutiny. Iggy Azalea, for example, dissed Buterin for singing at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, calling it “loser s—.”
Buterin is also not clear-cut in his political affiliation, which is somewhat refreshing for today’s polarized crypto traders. He has spoken openly against former SEC chair Gary Gensler as well as the dangers of “large-scale political coins” — seemingly a critique at Trump.
Indeed, many crypto leaders have embraced Trump’s pro-crypto stance, but Buterin has distanced himself, rejecting what he called the “bronze-aged mindset” favored by some in the crypto community.
With Ether facing uncertain prospects and Buterin’s actions fueling speculation, it remains unclear whether his personal brand of decentralization or his refusal to align with Trump’s crypto-friendly policies will shape Ethereum’s path forward.
