• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechCryptocurrency

Ethereum Founder: Crypto Investors Need to Grow Up and Stop Flaunting Their Wealth Online

By
Lisa Marie Segarra
Lisa Marie Segarra
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lisa Marie Segarra
Lisa Marie Segarra
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 28, 2017, 1:27 PM ET

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin blasted cryptocurrency investors for becoming so obsessed with flaunting their newfound wealth that they are missing the point of how the new technology can change society for the better.

“If all that we accomplish is lambo memes and immature puns about ‘sharting,’ then I WILL leave,” he posted in a Twitter rant on Wednesday.

He said the community needs to grow up and move away from the extravagance investors are showing off online.

“*All* crypto communities, ethereum included, should heed these words of warning. Need to differentiate between getting hundreds of billions of dollars of digital paper wealth sloshing around and actually achieving something meaningful for society,” Buterin tweeted.

If all that we accomplish is lambo memes and immature puns about "sharting", then I WILL leave.

Though I still have a lot of hope that the community can steer in the right direction.

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) December 27, 2017

In a reply to another Twitter user, he said he envisioned cryptocurrency becoming something better than just allowing a new avenue for accumulating wealth and power.

Gold, diamonds and politics all suck. But I want to build something *better*, not more of the same.

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) December 27, 2017

However, Bertin hasn’t lost faith in the crypto community just yet.

“I still have a lot of hope that the community can steer in the right direction,” Buterin tweeted.

While interest has swirled around Bitcoin’s success, Ethereum has also seen significant gains this year. The cryptocurrency is up by more than 8,500% since the start of 2017, Business Insider reported.

About the Author
By Lisa Marie Segarra
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

How a Spanish startup pivoted to video AI and built a $230 million ARR business with no VC funding
NewslettersTerm Sheet
How a Spanish startup pivoted to video AI and built a $230 million ARR business with no VC funding
By Alexei OreskovicApril 28, 2026
7 minutes ago
bob
CommentaryMarkets
Bob Diamond: The settlement window is closing as 24/7 trading opens up
By Bob DiamondApril 28, 2026
45 minutes ago
Demonstrators protest outside the courthouse as jury selection begins in the lawsuit between Elon Musk and OpenAI on April 27, 2026 in Oakland, California. (Photo: Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
NewslettersFortune Tech
Gird your loins, Musk v. Altman got its jury
By Andrew NuscaApril 28, 2026
55 minutes ago
Woman packing her stuff as an AI worker types on a computer
SuccessCareers
Microsoft researchers have revealed the 40 jobs most exposed to AI—and even teachers make the list
By Preston ForeApril 28, 2026
1 hour ago
Photo of Emma Grede
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Self-made multimillionaire Emma Grede says she was ‘using AI like a 42-year-old woman’—until Mark Cuban gave her a wake-up call
By Orianna Rosa RoyleApril 28, 2026
1 hour ago
OpenAI CFO reportedly at odds with Sam Altman over missed revenue target—even as AI capex is set to hit $660 billion
AIMarkets
OpenAI CFO reportedly at odds with Sam Altman over missed revenue target—even as AI capex is set to hit $660 billion
By Jim EdwardsApril 28, 2026
1 hour ago

Most Popular

Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
By Preston ForeApril 27, 2026
20 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, April 27, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, April 27, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 27, 2026
23 hours ago
Elon Musk says saving for retirement is irrelevant because AI is going to create a world of abundance: 'It won't matter'
Future of Work
Elon Musk says saving for retirement is irrelevant because AI is going to create a world of abundance: 'It won't matter'
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 26, 2026
2 days ago
The U.S. military may have already used up half of its most expensive missiles, and it could take up to 4 years to rebuild its stockpiles
Politics
The U.S. military may have already used up half of its most expensive missiles, and it could take up to 4 years to rebuild its stockpiles
By Sasha RogelbergApril 24, 2026
4 days ago
Current price of oil as of April 27, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of April 27, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 27, 2026
23 hours ago
Current price of gold as of April 27, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of April 27, 2026
By Danny BakstApril 27, 2026
23 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.