Introduction
Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has an estimated net worth of $830 million, primarily derived from his cryptocurrency holdings. This analysis explores his wealth trajectory, compares it with other Ethereum co-founders, and examines the sources of his fortune.
How Did Vitalik Buterin Build His Wealth?
Buterin’s journey began in 2011 when he co-founded Bitcoin Magazine at age 17. Dissatisfied with Bitcoin’s limitations, he published the Ethereum whitepaper in 2013, proposing a blockchain platform for decentralized applications. Key milestones:
- 2014: Raised $100,000 from the Thiel Fellowship to focus on Ethereum.
- 2015: Launched Ethereum, receiving a 16.53% allocation of the initial ETH supply (720M tokens).
- 2021: Became a billionaire when ETH surpassed $3,000.
Core Wealth Sources:
- ETH Holdings: 246,730 ETH (valued at ~$830 million as of June 2024).
- Investments: StarkWare (valuation: $8B), Kyber Network (advisor role).
- Donations: Burned 90% of SHIB tokens received (worth $60B at peak) and donated the rest to CryptoRelief.
Vitalik Buterin’s Net Worth Breakdown
Cryptocurrency Holdings
- ETH: 99% of his portfolio (~246,730 tokens).
Other Tokens:
- KNCL: $609,780
- WETH: $436,920
- THE: $127,950
Non-Crypto Assets
- StarkWare Equity: Exact stake undisclosed but significant given the company’s $8B valuation.
ETH Ownership Over Time
| Year | ETH Held | % of Total Supply |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| 2015 | 0.91% | 0.91% |
| 2023 | 0.21% | 0.21% |
Note: His ETH share has decreased due to sales and network inflation.
Comparing Ethereum Co-Founders’ Wealth
| Co-Founder | Known Net Worth (USD) | Primary Source |
|------------------|-----------------------|----------------|
| Vitalik Buterin | $830M | ETH Holdings |
| Joseph Lubin | $5B+ (2022) | ConsenSys |
| Gavin Wood | $500M+ (2023) | Polkadot |
| Charles Hoskinson| $600M+ (2023) | Cardano |
👉 Explore Ethereum’s latest price trends
FAQs
1. How much ETH does Vitalik own?
As of 2024, he holds 246,730 ETH (~$830M).
2. Has Vitalik sold his ETH?
Yes, but he claims sales since 2018 were for donations, not personal profit.
3. What’s the highest his net worth reached?
**$20.9B** in November 2021 when ETH hit $4,891.
4. Who are the largest ETH holders?
- ETH 2 Deposit Contract (~34M ETH)
- Coinbase (~8M ETH)
- Binance (~7M ETH)
👉 Learn about Ethereum staking
Conclusion
Vitalik Buterin’s wealth is tightly linked to Ethereum’s success. His $830M net worth—mostly in ETH—reflects his pivotal role in blockchain innovation. While other co-founders diversified into new projects, Buterin remains Ethereum’s most visible advocate.
For real-time updates, track his wallet activity via Arkham Intelligence.
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