Ethereum Co-Founder Backs Messaging Apps Focused on Metadata-Free Communication
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has committed over $760,000 in Ether to two decentralized messaging platforms that he believes represent the “next steps” in protecting online privacy. The move highlights a growing push within the crypto community to build communication tools that operate without traditional identifiers.
In a recent public statement, Buterin emphasized that encrypted messaging is essential for safeguarding digital freedom, but added that innovation must extend beyond basic encryption. He pointed to permissionless account creation and metadata-resistant architectures as critical features for the future.
To support this direction, Buterin donated 128 ETH each to Session and SimpleX, two platforms designed to eliminate phone numbers, IDs and centralized servers. “These apps are moving the ecosystem toward stronger privacy guarantees,” he said.
Experts Warn of Mounting Challenges to User Privacy
Alexander Linton, president of the Session Technology Foundation, welcomed the contribution, saying the sector faces growing regulatory pressure.
“Regulatory and technical developments are threatening the future of private messaging, but decentralization offers a path forward,” he noted.
He added that secure communication tools operate under constant risk from policies aimed at weakening encryption, referencing past proposals that required message scanning before delivery.
Buterin echoed the need for continued development, warning that decentralized systems must still overcome obstacles related to multi-device support, network resilience and Sybil resistance.
“These problems need more eyes on them,” he said.
Chris McCabe, co-founder of Session, argued that global awareness remains a major hurdle.
“You don’t need to be a product. Privacy is a right, and users deserve tools that protect it,” he said.
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