Original title: (V God lives in public housing, wears slippers, takes the subway: In Singapore, he lives like an ordinary person)
Original source: Singapore Lion City Coconut
Editor’s note: As Ethereum is on the verge of reaching a milestone of $4,800, founder Vitalik Buterin has once again made the trending news, but people are not concerned about his astronomical wealth; rather, it's about his statement that he always personally hand washes his clothes.
Here's the thing: someone discovered a Solana meme founder staying at a $30,000-a-night ultra-luxury hotel, while in stark contrast, Vitalik, who has $1.1 billion in ETH, discussed whether a hotel’s $4 laundry service was worth it in another post. He felt it wasn't worth it, then said, 'So I always hand wash my clothes.'
Ethereum's return to historical highs may be attributed not only to ETH's continuous performance upgrades and the hundreds of billions of dollars spent by listed companies but perhaps also to Vitalik's frugality accounting for half the credit.
Hand washing clothes is just the tip of the iceberg; despite his wealth, Vitalik takes the subway, and he often wears T-shirts. He is not trying to create an image; he genuinely has little interest in consumption. The following is a reposted content:
In the early morning of Singapore, the sun has just skimmed over Marina Bay. Not far from the city center, in an apartment, a tall, thin young man stands by the window, his black pupils focused and calm.
He dresses simply in a T-shirt and shorts, with slightly tousled hair, looking no different from any early riser programmer out for a walk. Few would notice that this seemingly ordinary young man is indeed Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin—the 'V God' of the blockchain world, a figure nearly mythical in the digital realm yet striving to hide his aura in real life.
V God said he loves the mornings in Singapore. The air here is humid and fresh; the city has just awakened, free from the daytime hustle and bustle and the ceaseless noise of the crypto industry.
He occasionally pauses here to contemplate the next upgrade for Ethereum or simply to clear his mind. In such moments, he is no longer the 'V God' revered by the global cryptocurrency community but just a 30-year-old young man enjoying a moment of tranquility.
From 'digital nomad' to Singapore resident
At the beginning of 2023, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin revealed on Twitter that he had obtained permanent residency in Singapore, which sparked widespread discussion in the crypto community.
Why did this 'crypto nomad,' born in Russia, raised in Canada, and traveling the world for years, ultimately choose this Southeast Asian city-state as his long-term base?
The answer may lie in the trajectory of his daily life. One morning, he might appear at the Blockchain Research Center of the National University of Singapore to discuss the latest developments in zero-knowledge proof technology with researchers.
In the afternoon, he might walk to the nearby Tiong Bahru community to revise Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) in a café named 'Plain Vanilla.' This environment, rich in academic atmosphere yet full of life, is a key reason he chose Singapore.
In daily life, V God often maintains a low profile and mystery. Employees at Plain Vanilla Bakery confirm that he comes at least 2-3 times a week, usually ordering a black coffee and working for 3-4 hours.
His residence in Singapore can be said to perfectly exemplify minimalism hidden within the city. He rents a low-rise apartment in Tiong Bahru, rather than a luxury apartment or serviced residence (like many crypto millionaires prefer in Marina Bay or Sentosa). According to Singapore real estate market data, similar units rent for about 5,000 to 7,000 Singapore dollars a month. This is far below his financial capacity and aligns with his minimalist style.
A neighbor who wished to remain anonymous mentioned: 'He often goes downstairs in slippers to buy coffee, looking like an ordinary tenant, completely unlike a billionaire.'
This minimalist style is not a deliberate act but rather a long-standing habit—material needs have never been a priority for him; the freedom of thought is the true luxury. 'I don't want a life like Musk's.' He has repeatedly expressed this viewpoint.
In Singapore, he has indeed avoided the Silicon Valley-style cult of personality. No bodyguards, no ostentatious displays on social media, and he rarely gives interviews.
Usually, he relies on the subway and walking for daily transportation. Someone once spotted him quietly sitting at a subway station with headphones on, waiting for the train.
It's important to note that in that year, his net worth was already 739 million Singapore dollars! While billionaires taking the subway aren't unheard of, there are indeed not many as down-to-earth as V God.
In fact, V God himself is quite interested in the media's extensive coverage of this news, even retweeting it with the comment: 'Mom, I made the news (for taking the subway)!'
This is not a publicity stunt, and this is not the first time netizens have encountered him on the subway. It's no wonder that netizens express sentiments like 'This is the first time I've seen a billionaire take the subway.'
Image source: Xiaohongshu user @ Sparse Population
However, contrasting sharply with his simplicity in life is his generosity towards charity.
In 2021, he donated $1.2 billion worth of SHIB tokens to the Indian COVID relief fund; in 2023, he donated $15 million to the malaria foundation. This 'personal minimalism and philanthropic generosity' lifestyle earned him more respect after the news broke.
The daily life of an 'atypical' crypto leader
Despite maintaining a low profile in public, he is not isolated. He occasionally appears at tech salons or small developer gatherings in Singapore, but rejects any form of personal worship. He prefers to participate in discussions as an equal rather than being revered as an 'industry patriarch.'
Many developers from the crypto community occasionally see him at small technical gatherings, but he always appears as a participant rather than a star surrounded by crowds. This low profile allows him to stay focused and not be disturbed by external noise.
V God gave a speech at Token2049, a grand event for cryptocurrency and blockchain.
V God's life is highly disciplined. Mornings are usually his deep research time, where he reads the latest cryptographic papers or writes technical proposals about Ethereum's future upgrades.
Afternoons may be scheduled for meetings with the core development team to discuss the details of the 'Cancun upgrade,' or he may engage with scholars and students from local higher education institutions to discuss more cutting-edge information.
V God gave a speech at Nanyang Technological University.
Unlike many high-profile crypto CEOs, Buterin refuses to create a 'cult leader' atmosphere in the office. His work bases in Singapore include:
· One-North's shared office space
· Nanyang Technological University Blockchain Lab
· Numerous tranquil cafes scattered throughout the city
Ethereum core developer Hsiao-Wei Wang revealed: 'Vitalik's meetings always get straight to the technical topic, never wasting time defending his views. If the data proves him wrong, he changes his stance immediately.' This pragmatic style has allowed Ethereum to maintain technological iteration even in a bear market, successfully completing the Shanghai upgrade in 2023.
But surprisingly, his interests go far beyond cryptocurrency.
In Singapore, he began to explore the relationship between technology and society more broadly. He often interacts with AI researchers, mathematicians, and urban planning experts to discuss decentralized identity systems, quantum-resistant cryptography, and even the applicability of Singapore's public housing policies. A scholar who dined with him recalled: 'We talked for three hours, covering topics from game theory to Platonic philosophy, with cryptocurrency only taking up a small part.'
This cross-disciplinary thinking may suggest that V God no longer just wants to be a 'blockchain leader,' but is gradually turning towards a more macro view of technology philosophy and social design.
At the same time, his social circle is not limited to the crypto industry. He enjoys Hainan chicken rice for 4 Singapore dollars at ordinary hawker centers and discusses international politics or science fiction novels with friends.
Singapore's famous singer JJ Lin has also posted a photo with V God on social media, indicating that he has made quite a few new friends in Singapore besides his daily life.
This 'ordinary person' lifestyle stands out in a crypto billionaire circle filled with luxury cars and yacht parties, but it is precisely what makes V God unique—he is always wary of the alienation that wealth and fame can bring.
A thinker beyond cryptocurrency
Singapore's open attitude towards cryptocurrency has attracted a large number of practitioners but has also brought regulatory challenges.
V God has maintained a cautious yet constructive relationship with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). After the Terra/Luna crisis in 2022, he publicly supported MAS's efforts to strengthen stablecoin regulation while simultaneously calling for 'regulation that avoids stifling genuine innovation.'
This balanced stance is reflected in the composition of his social circle: it includes regulatory figures like former MAS Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty, as well as tech pioneers like the founder of Zilliqa. An associate professor at Singapore Management University commented: 'Vitalik Buterin understands the wisdom of the Eastern concept of 'the middle way.'
Former MAS Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty
In recent years, Buterin's public speeches have increasingly focused on technology ethics. At the 2023 Singapore FinTech Festival, he introduced the concept of 'decentralized society' (DeSoc), emphasizing that blockchain should serve social welfare rather than financial speculation. This shift aligns with changes in his reading habits—political philosophy works have significantly increased in his Kindle reading list.
It is worth noting that he still maintains a pure love for mathematics. A member of the Singapore Mathematical Society recalled: 'At a private gathering, Vitalik spent half an hour explaining his new insights on 'hypergraph' theory, his eyes sparkling like a college student.'
'Stealth': In the crypto frenzy
V God’s lifestyle in Singapore is, in some ways, a resistance to the excessive commercialization of the crypto industry. While many projects are eager to hype, market, and cash out in the short term, he remains true to his identity as a cryptographer, focusing on the essence of technology.
His 'stealth' is not an escape but a proactive choice—in the digital age, true power may lie not in exposure but in absolute control over one's time and attention.
He does not need to be a performer under the spotlight because he has already proven that those who truly change the world are often those who know when to remain silent.
In Singapore, the heavy rain comes and goes quickly. Local developers have often seen V God enjoying solitary walks in East Coast Park after the rain. This habit may metaphorically reflect his current situation: in the eye of the storm within the crypto industry, he chooses to be a calm observer, deeply involved in technological evolution while maintaining enough distance to examine the essence of the industry.
Vitalik Buterin's lifestyle in Singapore is better described as a conscious choice for the ordinary rather than a 'hermit' existence.
He rejects the flaunting culture common among crypto billionaires, focusing instead on technical research, public welfare, and the simple joys of life. This choice may be one of the reasons he continues to maintain influence in the crypto world.
Perhaps this is the most precious insight 'V God' leaves for this era: amidst the technological frenzy, maintaining the integrity of humanity is more revolutionary than creating any disruptive technology.
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