The Ethereum Foundation is taking steps to refine its public engagement strategy as it navigates growing scrutiny over its stance on blockchain applications and the performance of its native token, Ether (ETH). Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently voiced concerns over shifting values in the crypto space, particularly regarding criticism of Ethereum’s approach to blockchain gambling. Meanwhile, the foundation is looking to bolster its social media presence by hiring a new social media manager, aiming to improve communication and sentiment around Ethereum’s ecosystem.
Vitalik Buterin Criticizes “Moral Reversal” in Crypto Over Blockchain Gambling Debate
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expressed frustration over what he described as a “moral reversal” in the cryptocurrency industry, particularly regarding criticism of Ethereum’s stance on blockchain-based gambling. His remarks were made during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Feb. 20, where he addressed his concerns about the shifting ethical landscape within the crypto space.
During the AMA, Buterin was asked about his biggest disappointments in the crypto industry over the past year. He pointed to the growing criticism against Ethereum for not embracing gambling applications, often referred to as “casinos” on the blockchain.
“Perhaps the most disappointing thing for me recently was when someone said that Ethereum is bad and intolerant because we don’t respect the ‘casinos’ on the blockchain enough, and other chains are happy to accept any application, so they are better,” Buterin said.
He expressed concern that such attitudes reflect a broader “moral reversal” within the industry, where financial incentives and a laissez-faire approach to blockchain applications have taken precedence over ethical considerations. Buterin suggested that if this trend continues, he may lose interest in participating in the space altogether.
Buterin’s concerns come at a time when the broader crypto industry is facing a growing divide between ideological purists who advocate for ethical and socially beneficial blockchain use cases and those who prioritize profitability and unrestricted application development.
Ethereum, known for its emphasis on smart contract functionality, decentralized finance (DeFi), and socially impactful applications, has historically maintained a more selective approach to the types of projects it supports. In contrast, some other blockchain networks have taken a more open-ended stance, welcoming gambling, high-risk financial schemes, and speculative projects without ethical considerations.
The debate over blockchain gambling has been particularly heated. While proponents argue that decentralized casinos and betting platforms empower users by removing intermediaries, critics highlight concerns over addiction, financial exploitation, and regulatory scrutiny. Buterin’s comments suggest that Ethereum is unwilling to compromise its ethical principles to compete with platforms that embrace all applications without restrictions.
Despite his disappointment with the online discourse surrounding blockchain gambling, Buterin noted that his experiences with Ethereum community members in person have been more reassuring. He emphasized that offline interactions have reinforced his belief that many still share Ethereum’s core values of transparency, responsible decentralization, and long-term impact.
He urged Ethereum’s community to actively shape the ecosystem in a way that aligns with their vision of a better future. However, he acknowledged that this would require changes, including a potential shift in the Ethereum Foundation’s traditionally neutral stance on funding blockchain projects.
Buterin’s comments also coincide with recent changes in the Ethereum Foundation’s approach to funding and treasury management. The foundation has long maintained a hands-off approach at the application layer, aiming to provide a neutral platform for developers to build upon. However, Buterin hinted that this may change, as the foundation begins to selectively support projects that align with its values.
This shift follows recent criticism of the foundation’s treasury management practices. On Jan. 20, community members called out the Ethereum Foundation for selling ETH to fund its operations. Many argued that instead of selling ETH and exerting downward pressure on the asset’s price, the foundation could have leveraged decentralized finance (DeFi) alternatives, such as borrowing against its holdings or staking for yield.
In response to these concerns, the Ethereum Foundation announced on Feb. 13 that it had deployed 45,000 ETH—worth approximately $120 million—into major DeFi protocols, including Aave, Spark, and Compound. The move was widely praised by the community, as it signaled the foundation’s willingness to engage with Ethereum’s own financial infrastructure rather than relying on traditional asset liquidation strategies.
The foundation also stated that this was only the beginning of its new funding approach, with further exploration of staking and other DeFi mechanisms underway. The Ethereum community has been invited to provide input on additional strategies to optimize the foundation’s treasury management while maintaining network sustainability.
A Critical Moment for Ethereum and the Broader Crypto Industry
Buterin’s latest comments highlight a critical moment in Ethereum’s evolution and the broader blockchain industry’s ethical direction. While some networks have chosen to embrace a free-market approach, welcoming all applications without scrutiny, Ethereum continues to wrestle with the balance between decentralization and ethical responsibility.
As the industry matures, Ethereum’s stance on selective project support, combined with its refined treasury management strategies, may set a precedent for how major blockchain ecosystems handle financial and moral dilemmas. Whether other networks will follow suit remains to be seen, but Buterin’s words serve as a stark reminder that the blockchain space is not just about technology—it’s also about values.
Ethereum Foundation Seeks Social Media Overhaul Amidst Struggling ETH Performance
The Ethereum Foundation is ramping up efforts to strengthen its social media presence as the price of its native token, Ether (ETH), continues to underperform against key competitors like Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL). As sentiment around Ethereum drags, the foundation has officially announced a search for a new social media manager, hoping to reshape its online communication strategy and re-engage the crypto community.
The new hire will be responsible for overseeing Ethereum’s major social media accounts, including @ethereumfndn and the @ethereum account on X, which boasts 3.7 million followers. The announcement, made on Feb. 20 via a job posting on Lever, outlines the foundation’s vision for a more proactive and engaging approach to community outreach.
According to the job listing, the Ethereum Foundation is looking for someone who “lives and breathes” the Ethereum ecosystem and is well-versed in social media platforms such as X, Farcaster, Lens, Bluesky, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The ideal candidate must have prior experience managing large-scale social media accounts with more than 10,000 followers.
The social media manager’s role will involve refining Ethereum’s communication strategy, sharing updates on the ecosystem, and launching high-impact social media campaigns. The position aims to improve Ethereum’s presence on multiple platforms and counter negative sentiment in the market.
Ethereum Foundation protocol support lead Tim Beiko encouraged applicants, writing on X, “Come help the EF yap better.” His comments followed a post from Ethereum Foundation member Josh Stark, who shared details of the job on X.
The Ethereum Foundation isn’t looking for just any social media manager—it wants someone who deeply understands Ethereum’s culture. To gauge applicants’ creativity and community engagement skills, the foundation is asking candidates to:
Explain Ethereum in 180 characters
Share the most “underrated” Ethereum resource
Submit a funny Ethereum joke or meme
The job posting has sparked discussion among industry insiders, with some suggesting Ethereum needs to aggressively market itself to remain competitive.
Crypto attorney Gabriel Shapiro responded to the announcement, urging the foundation to hire someone who will “go hard” in promoting Ethereum. His sentiment reflects a growing belief that Ethereum’s messaging has been too neutral or passive, particularly in comparison to rival ecosystems like Solana, which has been more aggressive in community engagement and branding.
Ethereum has faced criticism for lacking strong marketing initiatives, with some believing that better communication and branding could boost adoption and improve investor sentiment.
Ethereum’s price performance has lagged behind competitors in recent months, raising concerns about investor confidence. Over the last 12 months, ETH has dropped 8.3%, hovering around $2,728. In contrast, Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL) have outperformed Ethereum, gaining market traction and investor interest.
A Kaito AI report on Feb. 4 revealed that Ethereum ranked highest in mindshare but recorded the worst sentiment in 12 months. This suggests that while Ethereum remains a key topic in the crypto community, overall market confidence in its performance has declined.
Meanwhile, Ethereum Foundation’s financial decisions have also been a point of contention. The foundation has faced scrutiny for large ETH transactions, with critics questioning its treasury management strategies.
In response to criticisms, the Ethereum Foundation took action in February by allocating $120 million worth of ETH to decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, including Aave, Spark, and Compound. This move was largely praised by the Ethereum community, as it demonstrated the foundation’s willingness to engage with its own DeFi ecosystem rather than simply selling ETH.
Ethereum educator Anthony Sassano, host of The Daily Gwei, suggested that the foundation could further optimize its treasury management by staking ETH and borrowing stablecoins against it instead of selling ETH directly.
Additionally, Ethereum developers have agreed to accelerate protocol upgrades, aiming to enhance the network’s efficiency and scalability more rapidly. This aligns with the ongoing Ethereum roadmap, which focuses on layer-2 scaling, rollups, and improving transaction throughput.
Will Ethereum’s Social Media Pivot Improve Sentiment?
The Ethereum Foundation’s decision to restructure its social media approach comes at a crucial time. While Ethereum remains a dominant force in blockchain technology, its public perception has been a growing concern. The foundation’s hiring of a new social media manager signals an intent to better engage with the community, counter negative sentiment, and reinvigorate Ethereum’s image.
Whether this will lead to a sustained improvement in Ethereum’s market perception and price action remains to be seen. However, a more assertive and engaging social media presence could help Ethereum regain momentum in the broader crypto narrative.
With competitors like Solana and emerging blockchain ecosystems actively promoting their platforms, Ethereum’s ability to communicate its value proposition effectively may prove critical in the ever-evolving landscape of blockchain adoption and investor sentiment.
This article was originally Posted on Coinpaper.com
