Vitalik Buterin Defends Ethereum Neutrality and Speech
- Ethereum stays neutral while its founder speaks freely and openly with clear resolve.
- Users can access Ethereum without sharing Buterin’s personal views or his ideals too.
- Permissionless design shields builders and critics across the ecosystem at all times.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said Ethereum remains neutral as a decentralized protocol while he retains the right to openly criticize projects built on it. His remarks followed debate over his use of the term “corposlop” to describe products he views as corporate-driven and trend-focused. He clarified that personal expression does not alter Ethereum’s permissionless design.
Protocol Neutrality and Personal Expression
Buterin explained that neutrality belongs to protocols such as HTTP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum within defined technical limits. He said individuals do not need to adopt “pretend neutrality” by hiding their principles. Instead, he argued that people should state their values clearly.
He said users do not need to agree with him to use Ethereum. “You do not have to agree with me on which applications are and are not corposlop to use Ethereum,” he stated. He added that disagreement on trust assumptions or political topics does not restrict access to the network.
He continued by listing further examples. “You do not have to agree with my views on defi, decentralized social or privacy-preserving payments to use Ethereum,” he said. He also noted that views on artificial intelligence remain separate from protocol access.
The Meaning of Permissionlessness
Buterin said he does not claim to represent the entire Ethereum ecosystem. He described Ethereum as a decentralized protocol rooted in permissionlessness and censorship resistance. According to him, individuals can use Ethereum regardless of his views or those of the Ethereum Foundation.
He stated that users remain free to build or transact without regard for what he or any client developer thinks. At the same time, he said criticism does not equal censorship. He argued that free speech allows him to criticize applications, just as others can criticize him.
“If I say that one’s application is corposlop, I am not censoring someone,” he said. He framed that position as part of the broader principle of open discourse. Can a decentralized protocol remain neutral while its founder speaks openly about his views?
Beyond the Protocol Layer
Buterin also argued that the modern world does not require “pretend neutrality.” He said neutrality fits protocols within the technical scope but does not apply to personal values. According to him, principles inevitably influence what developers build on top of a protocol.
He stated that values such as freedom extend beyond code. Treating freedom as relevant only to architecture while ignoring broader social questions lacks practicality, he said. He described that separation as hollow.
Related: Vitalik Maps How Ethereum and AI Can Reshape Trust and Markets
To illustrate his point, he referenced Linux. He said Linux supports user empowerment and freedom while also serving as the base layer for major corporate systems. Some projects built on Linux align with certain values, while others do not.
He argued that those who value Linux for empowerment must build a full-stack ecosystem aligned with those principles. Still, he acknowledged that others will use Linux differently. He concluded that Ethereum operates under a similar dynamic.
Vitalik Buterin drew a clear boundary between Ethereum’s neutral protocol and his personal voice. He affirmed that anyone can use Ethereum without sharing his views. At the same time, he defended his right to criticize projects openly. In doing so, he framed Ethereum as permissionless in code and expressive in culture.
