Vitalik Buterin, the Ethereum co-founder, recently made headlines in the South Korean tech hub city of Pangyo over the weekend. His visit to South Korea was to attend various events, including an Ethereum-related conference. Buterin was seen walking the streets of Pangyo, a tech-focused town in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and even working on his laptop in a local cafe. While he initially attended ETH Seoul 2024 hosted by Neowiz at its Pangyo headquarters on March 30, it seems like Buterin has extended his stay in the city known for hosting the headquarters of tech giants like Ahnlab, Naver, Kakao, Samsung, and SK.
South Korean crypto enthusiasts took to social media platforms to share their sightings of Buterin in Pangyo on March 31. One user posted a photograph of Buterin working on his laptop at a local coffee shop, complete with “four or five cups” on his table. This sparked speculation that the Ethereum co-founder had spent a considerable amount of time at the cafe. Another social media post showed Buterin casually walking down a Pangyo street and glancing at his cell phone, prompting some commenters to note that he looked like a regular resident of the city.
Buterin’s recent visit to South Korea appears to be one of his longest stays in the country yet. In addition to attending ETH Seoul 2024, he also participated in a web3-related event named BUIDL Asia 2024 in the Songpa District of Seoul on March 27. Ethereum (ETH) has gained significant popularity in South Korea, where even senior judges have publicly disclosed their holdings of the cryptocurrency. This visit marks Buterin’s return to the nation since 2019, when he spoke at a meeting at the National Assembly, emphasizing the inseparable nature of blockchain technology and cryptoassets.
During his visit in 2019, Buterin confronted the government’s push for “crypto-free blockchain” policies, advocating for the significance of cryptoassets within the blockchain ecosystem. He asserted that public blockchains heavily rely on cryptocurrencies, challenging the narrative of developing coin-free blockchain networks. Buterin’s presence and engagement in South Korea reflect his commitment to promoting decentralized technologies and the integration of cryptoassets in the global financial landscape.
Vitalik Buterin’s recent sightings and engagements in South Korea underscore the growing interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology worldwide. As a prominent figure in the crypto community, Buterin continues to advocate for the adoption and development of innovative decentralized solutions. His visit to Pangyo and participation in Ethereum-related events further solidify the importance of fostering collaboration and awareness in advancing the decentralized ecosystem.