23-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a surprising encounter, commuters at King Albert Park MRT station in Singapore had the rare opportunity to bump into a multi-millionaire. Vitalik Buterin, the Russian-Canadian computer programmer and co-founder of the popular cryptocurrency Ethereum, was spotted waiting to take the MRT train. At just 30 years old, Buterin’s involvement in developing Ethereum from a young age has contributed to his impressive net worth, estimated at S$739 million (approximately US$550 million).
Having immigrated to Canada at the age of six, Buterin dedicated himself to the development of Ethereum and played a significant role in its early stages. The ETH token, which he co-developed, forms the majority of his wealth. At the young age of 27, Buterin became the youngest crypto billionaire during the peak of cryptocurrencies.
Aside from his financial success, Buterin is known for his down-to-earth nature and humble lifestyle. His choice to use public transportation in Singapore has garnered praise online, with one tweet stating, “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transportation.”
Buterin’s philanthropy has also gained attention. In May 2021, he made a generous donation of US$1.14 billion worth of cryptocurrency to the India Covid-Crypto Relief Fund. The donation included 500 ETH and over 50 trillion SHIB (Shiba Inu), a meme coin that had been gifted to him. This significant contribution caused a 50% drop in the price of SHIB, leading to panic among its holders. Additionally, Buterin donated US$336 million worth of Dogelon Mars ($ELON) to the Methuselah Foundation, an organization focused on extending human lifespan.
Singaporeans were fortunate to spot Buterin not only at the MRT station but also on the streets of Singapore, as shared through photos on social media. His unassuming character and philanthropic endeavors have made him a highly regarded figure in the cryptocurrency community.
