Vitalik Buterin’s 256 ETH Injection Supercharges Decentralized Messaging Revolution
Ethereum founder drops crypto fuel on private comms disruption
The Signal-Killer Emerges
Vitalik Buterin just deployed 256 ETH into the decentralized messaging arena—enough to make traditional encrypted apps sweat. This isn't just another crypto donation; it's a strategic strike against centralized communication monopolies that treat your DMs like their personal data buffet.Building Firewalls That Can't Be Breached
The move signals Ethereum's serious push into end-to-end encrypted messaging that even governments can't backdoor. While your bank still uses SMS for two-factor authentication, decentralized protocols are creating communication channels that actually deserve the word 'secure.'256 ETH - More Than Just Numbers
That's roughly enough to fund an entire development team for years—or buy every regulator in Washington a lifetime subscription to encrypted messaging they'll never understand. Either way, it's a calculated bet that privacy will become crypto's next killer use case, leaving traditional finance wondering why they're still paying for Slack.TLDR
- Vitalik Buterin donated 128 ETH each to SimpleX Chat and Session to support privacy messaging.
- He praised both apps for improving metadata privacy and enabling open account creation.
- SimpleX uses one-way messaging queues and no global identifiers to protect user anonymity.
- Session operates on a decentralized network of service nodes instead of centralized servers.
- Buterin emphasized that real metadata privacy requires decentralization which remains difficult to achieve.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin donated 128 ETH each to messaging platforms SimpleX Chat and Session. He emphasized their efforts in enhancing metadata privacy and enabling open account creation without phone numbers.
SimpleX Chat Receives 128 ETH for Metadata Privacy Push
Vitalik Buterin contributed 128 ETH to SimpleX Chat, backing its one-way messaging architecture. He highlighted that the app avoids global identifiers and enhances user anonymity. He said SimpleX “pushes forward” privacy-first communication, aligning with his goals for decentralized tech.
Encrypted messaging, like @signalapp, is critical for preserving our digital privacy. Two important next steps for the space are (i) permissionless account creation and (ii) metadata privacy.@session_app and @SimpleXChat are two messaging apps pushing these directions forward.…
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 26, 2025
SimpleX removes the need for user identifiers and routes messages using disposable paths. Buterin supported this method as it reduces metadata exposure. He stressed that true privacy involves both encryption and decentralization.
SimpleX’s privacy model differs from traditional end-to-end encryption apps. It uses client-side routing and no message history tracking. This design makes it more resistant to data correlation or surveillance.
Session Also Gains 128 ETH for Decentralized Messaging
Vitalik Buterin also donated 128 ETH to Session, praising its decentralized network of service nodes. He said Session addresses metadata privacy “in the right direction” despite usability challenges. The app operates without central servers, removing single points of failure.
Session avoids requiring phone numbers or emails for signup. It uses an onion-routed network to obscure sender and receiver details. This structure attracted Buterin’s backing as a strong privacy model.
He cautioned that Session must improve multi-device support and routing security. Buterin said, “Sybil / DoS resistance needs more work on both network and user ends.” He asked developers to focus on these hard issues.
Signal Gains Backup Features but Faces New Threats
Vitalik Buterin also included Signal in his donation list. He acknowledged Signal’s strides in secure onboarding and backup features. The app now provides end-to-end encrypted backups on Android and iOS.
Each Signal backup uses a 64-character key stored only on the user’s device. The app cannot recover the key if lost. This makes backup security fully user-controlled.
However, Signal faces threats from advanced Android malware. ThreatFabric researchers found trojans capturing decrypted messages post-screen display. Encrypted messages remain secure, but attackers exploit device-level access.
Vitalik Buterin Proposes Selective Scaling for Ethereum
In other updates, Vitalik Buterin addressed Ethereum’s growth strategy. He proposed targeted optimizations over broad scaling. The plan includes increasing the block gas limit fivefold.
He suggested raising gas costs for low-efficiency transactions. These include large-contract calls, calldata usage, and storage slot actions. Vitalik Buterin stated that such changes improve network efficiency long-term.
He also emphasized better performance through refined cost models. The changes apply to SSTORE actions and non-elliptic precompiles. Vitalik Buterin aims for goal-based scaling into the next ethereum phase.
