Over the weekend, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin was seen out and about in Pangyo, a tech-focused town in South Korea. This surprised and delighted the nation’s crypto community, who were excited to have him in their midst. Buterin was in South Korea to attend various events, including an Ethereum-related conference. Not only did he deliver a keynote speech at ETH Seoul 2024, hosted by Neowiz at its Pangyo headquarters, but he also extended his stay in the city well beyond the conference.
South Korean crypto enthusiasts took to social media platforms to share their sightings of Buterin in Pangyo. One user posted a photo of Buterin working on a laptop in a local coffee shop, noting the multiple cups on his table, suggesting he had been there for a while. Another user shared a video of Buterin walking through a Pangyo street, giving the impression of being a regular resident of the city. These posts caused a stir online, with many commenting on how Buterin appeared to blend in with the locals during his stay.
This is not Buterin’s first time in South Korea. In 2019, he visited the nation and spoke at a meeting at the National Assembly, where he emphasized the importance of blockchain technology and cryptoassets. He highlighted the inseparable nature of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, contradicting the government’s push for “crypto-free blockchain” policies at the time. Despite the efforts to promote coin-free blockchain networks, Buterin stressed the reliance of public blockchains on cryptoassets.
Ethereum (ETH) enjoys significant popularity in South Korea, where even senior judges have revealed their holdings of ETH. Buterin’s presence in the country, especially during events like ETH Seoul 2024 and BUIDL Asia 2024, underscores the growing interest and adoption of Ethereum and blockchain technology in South Korea. The tech hub of Pangyo, with its concentration of IT giants like Ahnlab, Naver, Kakao, Samsung, and SK, provides an ideal setting for fostering innovation and collaboration in the crypto space.
Vitalik Buterin’s visit to South Korea, particularly his time in Pangyo, serves as a testament to the global impact of Ethereum and the significance of blockchain technology in shaping the future of finance and innovation. As the crypto community continues to grow and evolve, events like Buterin’s appearances in tech hubs like Pangyo further solidify the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in driving the industry forward.
