Vitalik Buterin's Political Token Criticism: 'Opening the Door to Unlimited Bribery' - Coin Bulletin

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, stated on social media platform X that political tokens carry the risk of "unlimited bribery".

Buterin's comment drew attention as part of a broader discussion about the future of the crypto industry and the support of cryptocurrencies by powerful political leaders such as US President Donald Trump.

Buterin pointed out that there is a conflict between short-term and long-term value pursuits in the crypto industry, making a comparison between “hyper-addictive mobile games” and chess.

Buterin, who said 'We have been entering a new order for the last year', added the following:

Now the world's most powerful people are supporting the idea of ​​everyone creating tokens at every scale. Now is the time to talk about the difference between short-term 'sugar effect' that is not recommended for beginners and long-term satisfaction and wealth creation. This is not a matter of 'entertainment is bad'; it's a matter like the difference between chess or World of Warcraft and modern hyper-addictive games.

"Political Tokens Cross a Bigger Line"

Buterin specifically pointed out the risks posed by political tokens. "Political tokens are not only sources of entertainment; their harms are not limited to mistakes made by voluntary participants. These tokens can serve as a means of unlimited political bribery, including foreign states."

Buterin's comment opens up the discussion of political leaders' relationship with cryptocurrencies. In particular, Trump's release of his own memecoins before the oath ceremony and the increasing interest of political figures in token projects further strengthen concerns in this regard.

The Future of the Crypto Industry and Ethical Questions

Buterin argues that with the growth of the crypto sector, there needs to be more discussion about ethics and long-term value creation. While short-term gains and popular projects may attract new users to the industry, the potential harms these projects can cause in the long run should not be ignored.

Initiatives like political tokens not only draw attention with their financial impacts but also with the instability they can create on political systems. Buterin's statements carry an important warning for both players in the sector and regulators.