Buterin Says Ethereum Remains a Neutral, Open Protocol

• Ethereum’s protocol stays neutral, letting anyone build regardless of personal beliefs.
• Open access encourages debate and innovation while preserving free speech rights.
• Values shape technology, yet decentralized systems support diverse and conflicting goals.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said developers and users do not need to share his personal views to participate in the Ethereum network. In a post, Buterin emphasized that Ethereum functions as a neutral, decentralized protocol rather than a vehicle for any single ideology. 

He argued that disagreement over applications, politics, artificial intelligence, or decentralized finance does not limit anyone’s right to build or transact on the blockchain. Consequently, he reinforced the idea that Ethereum’s core strength lies in permissionless access, not ideological alignment.

Neutral Protocol, Opinionated People

Buterin explained that neutrality applies to the protocol itself, not to individuals within the ecosystem. He stressed that Ethereum, like other open systems, allows anyone to deploy applications without approval from him or the Ethereum Foundation. 

However, he added that open access does not prevent criticism. Moreover, he said public debate strengthens innovation rather than suppresses it.

He rejected the expectation that leaders must avoid expressing strong views. Instead, he argued that modern builders should articulate principles clearly and collaborate with others who share similar goals. 

Hence, he framed criticism as part of a broader free speech framework. People cannot silence applications they dislike, yet they retain the right to challenge ideas publicly.

Principles Extend Beyond Code

Significantly, Buterin said values inevitably influence technology decisions. Developers who prioritize freedom or privacy will shape tools differently than those who focus on efficiency or profit. 

Additionally, those values often influence broader social questions tied to digital systems. He warned that separating technology from its social consequences creates shallow thinking.

He compared Ethereum to Linux, which empowers users but also supports corporate infrastructure worldwide. Consequently, he noted that open technologies serve diverse and sometimes conflicting interests. No single group owns the network’s direction. However, communities can still build parallel ecosystems aligned with shared principles.

Buterin concluded that decentralized protocols must remain open to many visions at once. Moreover, he acknowledged that alignment often varies across issues. Someone may agree with him on privacy but disagree on artificial intelligence. Ethereum, he suggested, thrives precisely because it allows that diversity.

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