Vitalik’s Recent Comments
In a recent Twitter exchange, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin made headlines by asserting, “Bitcoin Cash is not Bitcoin.” This remark, directed at Brad Mills, marked his clear distinction between the two cryptocurrencies, even calling out BCH’s attempt to ride on Bitcoin’s coattails.
A Historical Perspective on BCH
Buterin’s relationship with Bitcoin Cash has not always been adversarial. Back in November 2017, just months after the hard fork that birthed BCH, he tweeted, “I consider BCH a legitimate contender for the Bitcoin name.” However, he quickly followed that up with a cautionary note that claiming BCH as ‘Bitcoin’ was premature, as it represented a minority view.
Timely Insights from the Ethereum Co-Founder
Fast forward to August 2018, when another Twitter user lamented BCH’s inability to establish itself as the true ‘Bitcoin’. Buterin responded by recognizing that it was unrealistic to claim, “Bitcoin Cash is Bitcoin” while still affirming that the name ‘Bitcoin Cash’ was perfectly acceptable. It’s like saying your cousin is totally fine but you wouldn’t put him on your family tree.
Philosophical Approach to Public Goods
Most recently, Buterin reiterated his commitment to a more philosophical approach, stating, “I’m on the side of taking public goods challenges seriously and being open to adjusting ideological preconceptions while maintaining a commitment to core values of decentralization.” This layered statement brings his core values to light, and it seems he is willing to give BCH its due without crossing over into endorsement.
What Lies Ahead?
As the crypto world continues its labyrinthine dance between BTC and BCH, the comments from Buterin serve as a reminder that distinctions matter. While he may not have outright discredited BCH, his consistent clarifications suggest that he views BTC as the leading contender in the cryptocurrency race. Cointelegraph even reached out for more juicy details from Buterin, but as of now, it seems he’s keeping his cards close to his chest.
