- Ethereum insider Steven Nerayoff accuses Vitalik Buterin of intellectual property theft, suggesting that Buterin copied Cardano’s concepts.
- Nerayoff also alleges that Buterin copied ideas from Ripple for Ethereum’s smart contract functionality and that Joseph Lubin, another Ethereum co-founder, stole his idea on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and utility tokens.
Cardano, founded in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, one of Ethereum’s original co-founders, is at the center of Steven Nerayoff’s recent allegations. Hoskinson left Ethereum in 2014 following a disagreement with Buterin over the project’s nature—commercial or non-profit. The dispute revolved around Hoskinson’s preference for Ethereum to have commercial applications, while Buterin advocated for a non-profit approach. Nerayoff has now claimed that he told Buterin years later that getting rid of Hoskinson was a significant mistake.
Nerayoff’s allegations extend beyond Cardano, as he also alleges that Buterin copied innovative ideas from Ripple to develop Ethereum’s smart contract functionality. Furthermore, Nerayoff claims that Joseph Lubin, another Ethereum co-founder, stole his ideas on Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and utility tokens. According to Nerayoff, Ethereum’s success can be attributed mainly to its smart contract functionality and ICOs. These allegations cast doubt on Ethereum’s technological foundations.
Nerayoff’s recent allegations come shortly after he promised to provide proof of his claims regarding Lubin and Buterin’s alleged fraudulent activities. In a November 12 tweet, the crypto advisor committed to sharing this evidence within the next 4 to 5 days. These ongoing allegations have stirred controversy within the crypto community and remain unaddressed by Buterin and Lubin.
Past Allegations Against Ethereum Team
In recent times, Steven Nerayoff has made a series of startling allegations against the Ethereum team, particularly targeting Lubin and Buterin. These allegations include secret dealings with SEC Chair Gary Gensler and former Chairman Jay Clayton, as well as accusations of fraud exceeding that of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Despite these allegations, neither Buterin nor Lubin has responded publicly.
