Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, has allocated 16,384 Ether, equivalent to around $45 million, to support technologies focused on privacy and open-source infrastructure. In a post on X, he mentioned that these funds, withdrawn from his personal crypto holdings, would be gradually deployed over the next few years. Buterin emphasized this decision as part of a larger transition for the Ethereum Foundation, which is entering a phase of ‘mild austerity’, while maintaining its commitment to an ambitious technical roadmap.

He expressed his intention to take on responsibilities that might have fallen under the Foundation’s special projects. The funding will be directed towards creating secure, verifiable software systems and enhancing privacy features. The Foundation aims to develop a robust infrastructure that safeguards personal and public data.

The allocation shows commitment to long-term projects related to decentralized development, marking a critical shift away from previous practices of selling Ether to fund operations. Despite facing some scrutiny for this strategy, Ethereum’s development remains a priority, and the Foundation is exploring other financing options including decentralized finance (DeFi) lending and staking.

Buterin did not disclose specific project allocations but echoed a previous commitment to projects enhancing privacy-preserving software, emphasizing the importance of combining these initiatives with Ethereum’s ongoing blockchain development.

Overall, this strategic approach highlights the Foundation’s focus on privacy, open infrastructure, and self-sovereignty amid changing market conditions.