Ethereum Builders Should Focus On 'Sanctuary Tech' Instead Of Trying 'To Be Apple Or Google,' Vitalik Buterin Says

March 10, 2026 - 03:33

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is urging the platform's developers to pursue a vision of "sanctuary tech" rather than emulating corporate tech giants. He argues that Ethereum's core purpose should be to create a digital space where individuals can interact freely, beyond the reach of excessive corporate or government control.

Buterin emphasized that the ecosystem should focus on building free, open-source technologies that empower people to live, work, and coordinate according to their own values. This stands in contrast to a path of centralized control, where a single entity dictates the rules and captures value. The concept of sanctuary technology positions Ethereum as a foundational layer for digital autonomy and resilience.

This philosophical shift underscores a broader debate within the blockchain community about decentralization's true meaning. Buterin’s comments suggest that Ethereum’s success should not be measured by its market dominance alone, but by its ability to provide credible neutrality and a refuge for uncensorable applications. The call is for builders to prioritize tools that protect individual sovereignty and foster permissionless innovation for the long term.