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| Vitalik Buterin |
Brian Armstrong reveals how U.S. visa policy led to missed chance with Ethereum’s founder
A Missed Opportunity with Ethereum’s Creator
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently shared a striking story involving Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum. At the 2013 San Jose Bitcoin Conference, Armstrong first met Buterin, who was a talented writer for Bitcoin Magazine. Impressed by his technical demo during a visit to Coinbase’s early San Francisco office, Armstrong attempted to recruit him. However, due to U.S. visa restrictions, Buterin had to return to Canada, and the plan failed.
Ethereum Was Born Because of U.S. Immigration Policy
As a result of the failed visa, Buterin returned home to Canada. There, he went on to found Ethereum — now the world’s second-largest blockchain by market capitalization. Armstrong commented, “The broken U.S. immigration system ironically gave birth to Ethereum.”
The story highlights a recurring theme in tech: immigration hurdles blocking innovation. Crypto leaders like Armstrong have repeatedly urged governments to reform outdated visa systems. Meanwhile, crypto hubs like Singapore and Dubai are attracting talent that the U.S. is losing.
Coin Market 24/7 Commentary
This episode with Vitalik Buterin underscores how U.S. immigration policies may stifle blockchain innovation. Countries fostering pro-crypto environments could gain massive Web3 leadership advantages in the next decade. This is a wake-up call for policymakers amid the ongoing global blockchain talent race.