Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has disclosed a significant financial contribution to two projects centered on advanced digital privacy. Buterin donated 128 ETH to both the decentralized messaging app Session and the privacy-focused SimpleX Chat, totaling an approximately $760,000 allocation in Ether. He framed the donation as support for the “next steps” in secure digital communication, prioritizing permissionless account creation and robust metadata protection over traditional, identifier-reliant services.
The funds are directed toward applications that aim to eliminate centralized servers and traditional user identifiers, such as phone numbers, which are typically utilized by legacy encrypted messengers. Buterin noted the complexities involved in achieving both metadata privacy and user experience in decentralized multi-device environments. This institutional endorsement highlights the technical challenges in building resilient, private communication tools against a backdrop of increasing regulatory pressures, such as the European Union’s previously debated Chat Control measures.
The move signals the continuing alignment of core crypto figures with decentralized solutions that enhance user autonomy and security. As development teams face technological hurdles, Buterin’s financial and public support aims to draw more attention and resources to these mission-critical challenges.
