The Birth of Ethereum: A Historic Milestone in Crypto
In 2013, a 19-year-old Russian-Canadian programmer, Vitalik Buterin, imagined a blockchain that could do more than just transfer value. Frustrated by Bitcoin’s limitations, Vitalik proposed a platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications—laying the groundwork for Ethereum.
Despite early doubts, he brought together a team that included Gavin Wood and Joseph Lubin. By 2014, they had raised $18 million in Bitcoin through crowdfunding. The Ethereum network officially launched in 2015, powered by its native token, Ether ($ETH), enabling developers to build without centralized control.
The journey wasn’t without setbacks—security breaches and scalability challenges tested the project. But Vitalik stayed the course, championing innovations like Ethereum 2.0 to improve performance and sustainability.
By 2023, Ethereum had become the backbone of decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and the broader Web3 movement—redefining how people interact with technology and value.
Through it all, Vitalik remained grounded—donating millions to social causes and continuing to advocate for open, decentralized systems. Ethereum didn’t just build a platform; it sparked a digital revolution born from a teenager’s vision.