Ethereum
Ethereum is an open, programmable blockchain conceived by Vitalik Buterin in 2013 and launched on July 30, 2015. It supports smart contracts and decentralized applications rather than being limited to payments.
Founding and launch
Section titled “Founding and launch”Buterin circulated the original white paper in November 2013. A broader founding group subsequently formed around the project: Mihai Alisie, Amir Chetrit, Anthony Di Iorio, Charles Hoskinson, Joseph Lubin, Gavin Wood, and Jeffrey Wilcke are commonly listed alongside Buterin as co-founders. The 2014 public sale raised more than 31,000 BTC, about US$18 million at the time, and the genesis block launched roughly one year later. Ethereum history
Covered people
Section titled “Covered people”- Vitalik Buterin: conceived the platform, authored the original white paper, and remains an influential protocol researcher and public advocate.
Governance distinction
Section titled “Governance distinction”Ethereum has no CEO or single owner. The Ethereum Foundation is a nonprofit that supports research and ecosystem development, but it does not operate the network as a conventional company. Buterin has substantial intellectual and agenda-setting influence; protocol changes still require implementation by client teams and adoption by the wider network community.
This distinction matters: “founder of Ethereum” describes a historically documented creative role, not present-day ownership or unilateral control.