As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech and finance industry, I find Vitalik Buterin’s charitable donations using meme coins to be both innovative and impactful. His commitment to philanthropy, particularly in the realm of technology and health, is commendable. However, it’s crucial to approach these tokens with a discerning eye, as not all meme coins are created equal.


According to reports, the co-creator of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, recently offloaded 651.6 Ether (ETH) valued at around $1.62 million. This sale was made from his holdings of meme coins, and it aligns with his ongoing dedication to charitable contributions.

As a researcher, I’ve come across some notable transactions on the blockchain. For instance, 10 billion MOODENG were sold for approximately 395.95 Ether, which equates to around $982,000. Similarly, 200,000 MSTR tokens changed hands for 93.23 Ether, or roughly $231,000. Lastly, a massive transaction of 500 million EBULL was completed for 73.79 Ether, equivalent to approximately $183,000, according to Spot On Chain data.

Other sales included meme coins such as POPCAT, FWOG, Milo, TCATI, and VITALIK tokens.

Buterin’s Charity Donations

For the past nine days, Buterin has earned 1,101 ETH (approximately $2.78 million) from meme coin sales. He subsequently donated 360.16 ETH ($884,000) to various charities, as reported in the platform’s most recent update on blockchain analysis.

Last week, I tweeted my admiration for meme coins that directly donate a portion of their supply to charitable causes. I specifically mentioned EBULL, which made contributions to various causes last month. Notably, MOODENG recently donated 10 billion tokens, an amount I’m planning to direct towards anti-airborne disease technology.

Although the executive acknowledged receiving donations, he encouraged creators of meme coins to send these donations directly to charities instead. Moreover, he suggested establishing Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) to involve their communities in decision-making processes related to these funds. He emphasized that the most beneficial impact for meme coins occurs when they contribute positively to society’s wellbeing.

Some people weren’t happy about the sales and promotion of less popular meme coins, including ‘Crypto Rug Muncher,’ who is known for exposing potential crypto scams. This person raised concerns about Buterin’s actions, specifically regarding the EBULL token. After Buterin’s tweet, this individual noted that while Ethereum’s leader may have increased EBULL’s exposure, they still view the token as a scheme where the supply is artificially controlled.

Additionally, he asserted that approximately 55 wallets are holding more than 40% of EBULL’s total coins, and he accused the project of financing its charitable contributions by selling tokens to unknowing investors, thereby warning others against associating with it.

Concerns Surrounding Meme Coins

Although meme coins have experienced a comeback in 2021, there’s growing unease among industry leaders. Chris Dixon, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), pointed out that these tokens can be quickly made and exchanged, but projects with real long-term value are facing regulatory hurdles.

Earlier this year, the digital asset management firm, CoinShares, cautioned about potential dangers associated with meme coins. These dangers include the possibility of market manipulation and problems related to liquidity, which could jeopardize their own stability as well as that of the broader cryptocurrency market.

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2024-10-14 17:26