Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced that 2026 will be the year he fully returns to decentralized social media, revealing that all his posts this year have been made using the multi-platform client Firefly. He also criticized existing SocialFi projects for over-reliance on speculative tokens and called for the industry to return to the original intention of “giving users control over their data.”
(Background: Is the crypto idealism dead? Vitalik: Take a look at Farcaster, Lens, Zupass…)
(Additional context: What is Vitalik’s favorite, Farcaster? Principles of decentralized social, Warpcast features, pros and cons…)

Table of Contents

• Vitalik: To build a better society, we need better communication tools
• Leading by example: Fully adopting Firefly in 2026
• Criticism of SocialFi: Speculative tokens replacing meaningful innovation
• Ecosystem status: Continued development of Farcaster, Lens
• Vitalik’s 2026 vision: User-first social networks

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently announced that 2026 will be the year he “fully returns” to decentralized social media. He emphasized that only platforms built on shared, decentralized data layers can truly foster competition and prioritize user interests over algorithmic manipulation.

Vitalik: To build a better society, we need better communication tools

“If we want a better society, we need better mass communication tools.”

He further explained that decentralized architecture allows multiple clients to operate on the same social data layer, meaning users can freely choose interfaces without being tied to a single platform. In this model, platforms must genuinely serve users; otherwise, users can leave at any time with their social graphs.

In 2026, I plan to be fully back to decentralized social.

If we want a better society, we need better mass communication tools. We need mass communication tools that surface the best information and arguments and help people find points of agreement. We need mass communication… https://t.co/ye249HsojJ

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 21, 2026

Leading by example: Fully adopting Firefly in 2026

Buterin revealed that all his posts, both publishing and reading, this year have been done through Firefly. Firefly is a multi-client interface supporting platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Lens, Farcaster, and Bluesky.

This shows that Vitalik is not only an advocate for decentralized social but also a heavy user. He demonstrates through action that cross-platform decentralized social experiences are mature enough to replace traditional single-platform solutions.

Criticism of SocialFi: Speculative tokens replacing meaningful innovation

However, Buterin is not convinced by current crypto-native social projects. He criticizes many SocialFi experiments for repeatedly failing because these projects reward “existing social capital” and “price speculation” rather than content quality and constructive dialogue.

He believes that when the core incentive of social platforms revolves around token prices rather than user value, it ultimately attracts speculators rather than genuine content creators, which runs counter to the original purpose of decentralized social.

Ecosystem status: Continued development of Farcaster, Lens

Despite Vitalik’s criticisms of SocialFi, the decentralized social ecosystem continues to grow steadily:

• Farcaster: Has accumulated 2 million registered users with tens of thousands of interactions daily
• Lens: According to Dune Analytics, approximately 506,000 users

Recent industry moves also indicate integration. Blockchain infrastructure firm Neynar announced the acquisition of Farcaster, while DeFi protocol Aave transferred management of Lens to Mask Network, signaling that the decentralized social track is moving toward a more mature stage.

Vitalik’s 2026 vision: User-first social networks

Summarizing Vitalik’s statements, he envisions a decentralized social future with:

• Users fully controlling their data and social graphs
• Multiple clients competing rather than a single platform monopolizing
• Transparent algorithms, allowing users to choose content sorting methods
• Fair compensation for creators, not exploitation by platforms

When one of the most influential figures in crypto personally “goes all in” on decentralized social, it may be the strongest signal to the industry—that the Web3 social era might truly be arriving.