Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has signaled a renewed focus on decentralized social media, arguing that open platforms are essential for building healthier online communication systems. Looking ahead to 2026, he believes decentralized networks can restore competition and shift power away from engagement-driven algorithms.
In a recent statement, Buterin said he plans to fully recommit to decentralized social platforms in 2026. He emphasized that only systems built on shared, decentralized data layers can support genuine competition, allowing multiple clients to operate on the same social graph. According to Buterin, this structure prevents any single company from controlling user identities, content, or visibility.
He noted that his recent online activity has increasingly taken place through tools that aggregate multiple platforms, demonstrating how interoperability can improve user choice and experience without locking people into one network.
Buterin also criticized many crypto-native social projects for leaning too heavily on speculative tokens. He argued that SocialFi experiments often fail because they reward existing social capital and short-term price speculation rather than thoughtful content or constructive discussion. In contrast, he pointed to subscription-based creator models as better aligned with long-term quality and sustainability.
Lens has accumulated about 506,000 users, according to Dune Analytics data;
Urging builders and users to engage more deeply, Buterin said the industry must move beyond a single centralized “information battlefield.” He envisions a more competitive social landscape where diverse platforms and clients can coexist, encouraging innovation in how people interact online.
While decentralized social platforms have seen early adoption, mass-market growth remains limited. However, recent leadership changes and infrastructure developments suggest the sector is evolving, aligning with Buterin’s view that decentralized social media remains a long-term project rather than a short-term trend.
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