Emre Yumlu 
Buterin said online critics have labeled Ethereum as bad for not accepting casinos on the blockchain.
Vitalik Buterin Discusses Ethereum’s Concerns Over Gambling
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about what he described as a “moral reversal” in the crypto industry, particularly regarding criticism of Ethereum’s stance on blockchain gambling.
In an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on February 20, Buterin was asked about his frustrations with the crypto industry over the past year. He highlighted his disappointment over the backlash against Ethereum for not embracing blockchain-based casinos:
“The most disappointing thing recently was when someone said that Ethereum is bad and intolerant because we don’t respect ‘casinos’ on the blockchain enough, and other chains are free to accept any application, so they are better.”
Buterin stated that if the blockchain community had this kind of “moral reversal,” he would no longer be interested in participating in the blockchain space. Despite this concern, he mentioned that his face-to-face interactions with community members reassured him that the core values of the space remain intact.
Community Values Remain the Same Offline
While Ethereum has been criticized for its stance on casinos online, Buterin said his in-person interactions with crypto community members reaffirmed that the fundamental values of the space are still strong.
Buterin noted that he has a responsibility to the community and cannot abandon it. He also urged the Ethereum community to work together to create the “world we want to see,” which may require some changes. He added that the Ethereum Foundation may not be as neutral at the application layer and might start supporting certain types of projects instead of maintaining complete neutrality.
Ethereum Foundation Alters Funding Approach
Buterin’s remarks come alongside changes in the Ethereum Foundation’s approach to its funding mechanisms.
On January 20, community members criticized the foundation for selling Ether to fund its operations. Many suggested there were alternative approaches in decentralized finance (DeFi) that didn’t involve dumping assets onto the market.
On February 13, the foundation responded to the criticism by deploying 45,000 ETH, worth $120 million, into DeFi platforms like Aave, Spark, and Compound. Community members praised the move, calling it a positive step for Ethereum.
The foundation stated that this was just the beginning and that it is already exploring staking, inviting the community to offer suggestions.
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