While cryptocurrency leaders are no strangers to controversy, Ethereum co-founder Crucialik Buterin‘s recent tweet about communism has set the crypto world ablaze. On February 13, 2025, Buterin dropped a social media bomb with the provocative statement “make communism great again,” responding to Ameen Soleimani’s comment about Gitcoin during a discussion about the Ethereum Foundation’s new AI lead.
The crypto community’s reaction? Pure chaos. Justin Bons slammed the tweet as inappropriate, even if meant as a joke. Ethereum Monterrey didn’t mince words in expressing their opposition. Critics accused Buterin of being tone-deaf to historical suffering under communist regimes. Historical records show that over 100 million deaths were attributed to communist regimes in the 20th century. Talk about a PR nightmare.
But not everyone grabbed their pitchforks. Joseph Lubin jumped to Buterin’s defense, chalking it up to frustration and absurdist humor. The renowned developer emphasized Buterin’s tendency for irony and satire. Some supporters argued the tweet was pure satire, especially given Buterin’s family history of escaping communist Russia. Irony, anyone?
The timing couldn’t have been more awkward. The tweet coincided with Devansh Mehta‘s announcement of his new role leading AI initiatives at the Ethereum Foundation. Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko couldn’t resist taking a jab, mockingly joining the fray of critics questioning Buterin’s judgment.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about leadership responsibility in the crypto space. While some argue for separating personal views from project leadership, others worry about the tweet’s impact on Ethereum’s reputation and investor sentiment.
The debate has morphed into a larger conversation about ideological diversity within the crypto community. The aftermath continues to ripple through the crypto sphere, with calls for clearer communication from project leaders.
Whether Buterin’s tweet was a calculated provocation or a momentary lapse in judgment, one thing’s certain: in the politically charged world of cryptocurrency, even a simple tweet can ignite a firestorm of controversy.
