Is your crypto beginner mindset still intact? Vitalik Calls for a Return to Genuine Value Creation

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently issued a warning: the crypto industry is being eroded by high-leverage speculation and predatory product design, diverging from the original mission of blockchain. He calls on the industry to “hit the brakes” and refocus on financial tools that can truly enhance personal sovereignty and enable long-term wealth accumulation. These remarks have sparked widespread discussion among developers and investors in the 2026 market environment—when the market is dominated by leverage and emotional wealth illusions, how much of the original crypto spirit remains?

From “Open” to “Sovereign”: Vitalik Redefines Crypto Value

In discussions with members of the Monad community, Vitalik clearly distinguishes two often-confused concepts: open networks and sovereign networks. He points out that openness does not equal true autonomy. True sovereignty means users are not structurally exploited by governments or corporations.

This distinction is crucial. According to relevant information, Vitalik further extends the threat to “sovereignty” from traditional government control to corporate manipulation. He criticizes some platforms for amplifying dopamine through algorithms and abusing data collection, turning users into passive revenue sources—this model, in his view, runs counter to the spirit of crypto.

Vitalik specifically mentions that the early Bitcoin community’s caution towards ICOs, alternative tokens, and highly financialized applications essentially resists systemic extraction centered on corporate interests. This historical reference shows that vigilance against predatory design is not new; it has simply been overlooked in the current context.

How Leverage and Speculation Erode Crypto’s Original Intent

Vitalik’s criticism directly targets the core issue of the current market: many crypto products revolve around high leverage, short-term stimulation, and attention grabbing. He bluntly states that this deviates from the fundamental goal of blockchain—to reduce trust costs and increase individual freedom.

The contradictions in the current market are obvious. According to the latest information, the Ethereum staking queue has surged to 1,759,000 ETH, with validator exit queues cleared—reflecting institutional and individual interest in long-term holding. Meanwhile, a client of BlackRock has sold $84.7 million worth of ETH, and whales have transferred 40,251 ETH to exchanges. The market is building for the long term while engaging in short-term speculation.

Vitalik believes the crypto industry needs more:

• Low-risk wealth accumulation tools
• Privacy-centric payment and social systems
• Sustainable financial models not driven by speculation

These needs sharply contrast with the current mainstream market’s high-leverage derivatives and attention-seeking social tokens.

“Corporate Trash” Culture vs. Sovereign Networks

According to relevant information, Vitalik further elaborated his ideas in a post on January 10. He defines “Corposlop” as a combination of corporate optimization capabilities, flashy branding, and sacrificing ethics for profit maximization. Typical manifestations of this culture include:

• Short-term dopamine-driven social media algorithms
• Data abuse in “walled gardens”
• Homogenized content lacking soul

In contrast, Vitalik calls on developers to build more sovereign tools:

This Is Not Just Moral Criticism, But a Directional Warning

Vitalik’s core message is clear: if cryptocurrencies continue to be dominated by leverage speculation and corporate logic, they will lose their soul. True long-term value comes from system designs that enable users to remain independent, rational, and empowered to choose.

This warning is highly relevant. According to recent information, Vitalik is also paying attention to multiple issues: he supports Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, emphasizing that developing privacy software should not be viewed as a crime; he has three major criticisms of decentralized stablecoins (long-term, they should not only be anchored to USD; oracles need decentralization; and staking yields need to be addressed); he has specific suggestions for the transparency of X platform algorithms. These seemingly scattered viewpoints all point to the same core: system design should protect users, not exploit them.

Summary

Vitalik’s warning touches on the fundamental problems of the crypto industry. When the market is dominated by leverage speculation and corporate interests override user sovereignty, the original intent of crypto gradually erodes. The “sovereign network” he advocates is not a new concept but a reaffirmation of the initial promise of crypto: technology should empower individuals, not reinforce control.

True value creation comes from tools that may seem “unsexy”—privacy-focused applications, transparent algorithms, sustainable financial models. These may not generate the next wave of wealth illusions, but they can build genuine trust and long-term wealth accumulation. In the 2026 market environment, such voices are especially precious.