Holding 1.1 billion dollars worth of Ethereum, Vitalik is still personally doing his laundry.

CN
1 day ago

Original Title: "V God Lives in a HDB, Wears Slippers, Takes the Subway: In Singapore, He Lives Like an Ordinary Person"

Original Source: Singapore Lion City Coconut

Editor's Note: As Ethereum approaches the milestone of a historic high of $4800, founder Vitalik Buterin has once again made headlines. However, people are not concerned about his astronomical net worth, but rather about his statement that he always hand-washes his clothes.

The story goes like this: someone discovered a founder of a Solana meme living in a $30,000-a-night luxury hotel, while in stark contrast, Vitalik, who has $1.1 billion in ETH in his wallet, discussed in another post with netizens whether the hotel’s $4 laundry service was worth it. He thought it wasn’t worth it, and then said, "So I always hand-wash my clothes."

The return of Ethereum to its historical high can be attributed not only to the continuous upgrades of ETH, the hundreds of billions of dollars spent by listed companies, and the ongoing applications of Layer 2, but perhaps half of the credit goes to Vitalik's frugality.

Hand-washing clothes is just the tip of the iceberg. Despite having the financial means to buy a Gulfstream, he still takes the subway and wears T-shirts year-round. He is not trying to create a persona; he genuinely has little interest in consumption. The following is a reposted content:

In the early morning of Singapore, the sun has just skimmed over the Marina Bay area. Not far from the city center, a tall, thin young man stands by the window, his black pupils focused and calm.

He is dressed in a simple T-shirt and shorts, his hair slightly disheveled, looking no different from any programmer out for an early morning walk. Few would notice that this seemingly ordinary young man is none other than Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum—known as "V God" in the blockchain world, a figure almost mythical in the digital realm, yet striving to conceal his aura in real life.

V God says he enjoys the mornings in Singapore. The air here is humid and fresh, the city has just awakened, free from the daytime hustle and the incessant noise of the crypto industry.

He occasionally stops here to contemplate the next upgrade for Ethereum or simply to clear his mind. In these moments, he is no longer the "V God" revered by the global cryptocurrency community, but just a 30-year-old young man enjoying a moment of tranquility.

From "Digital Nomad" to Singapore Resident

In early 2023, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin revealed on Twitter that he had obtained permanent residency in Singapore, a news that sparked widespread discussion in the crypto community.

Why did this "crypto nomad," born in Russia, raised in Canada, and constantly traveling the world, ultimately choose this Southeast Asian city-state as his long-term base?

The answer may lie in his daily life trajectory. One morning, he might be found at the National University of Singapore's blockchain research center, discussing the latest advancements in zero-knowledge proof technology with researchers.

In the afternoon, he might walk to the nearby Tiong Bahru neighborhood to revise Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) at a café called "Plain Vanilla." This environment, rich in academic atmosphere yet full of life, is a key reason for his choice of Singapore.

In daily life, V God often maintains a low profile and an air of mystery. Staff at Plain Vanilla Bakery confirm that he visits at least 2-3 times a week, usually ordering a black coffee and working for 3-4 hours.

His residence in Singapore perfectly reflects a minimalist lifestyle hidden within the city. He rents a low-rise apartment in Tiong Bahru, rather than a luxury apartment or serviced residence (like many crypto millionaires prefer in Marina Bay or Sentosa). According to Singapore's real estate market data, similar units rent for about 5,000-7,000 SGD per month, far below his financial capacity, aligning with his minimalist style.

An anonymous neighbor mentioned, "He often goes downstairs in slippers to buy coffee, looking just like an ordinary tenant, completely unlike a billionaire."

This minimalist style is not a deliberate act but a long-standing habit—material needs have never been a priority for him; the freedom of thought is the true luxury. "I don't want a life like Musk's," he has publicly expressed this viewpoint multiple times.

In Singapore, he indeed avoids the Silicon Valley-style personal worship. There are no bodyguards accompanying him, no ostentatious displays on social media, and he rarely gives interviews.

Typically, he relies on the subway and walking for his daily commutes. He has been spotted quietly sitting at a subway station wearing headphones, waiting for the train.

It’s worth noting that at that time, his net worth was already 739 million SGD! While billionaires taking the subway is not unheard of, few are as down-to-earth as V God.

In fact, V God himself is quite interested in the media coverage of this news, even sharing the report with the caption, "Mom, I made the news (for taking the subway)!"

This is not a publicity stunt; netizens have encountered him on the subway before. It’s no wonder that netizens express sentiments like "This is the first time I've seen a billionaire squeeze into the subway."

Image Source: Xiaohongshu user @ Sparse Population

However, in stark contrast to his simple life, is his generosity towards charity.

In 2021, he donated $1.2 billion worth of SHIB tokens to India's COVID relief fund; in 2023, he donated $15 million to the Malaria Foundation. This lifestyle of "personal minimalism, philanthropic generosity" has earned him greater respect after the news broke.

A Day in the Life of an "Atypical" Crypto Leader

Although he maintains a low profile in public, he is not isolated from the world. He occasionally appears at tech salons or small developer meetups in Singapore but refuses any form of personal worship. He prefers to participate in discussions as an equal rather than being revered as an "industry patriarch."

Many developers in the crypto community occasionally see him at small tech gatherings, but he always appears as a participant rather than a star surrounded by admirers. This low profile allows him to stay focused without being disturbed by external noise.

V God speaking at Token2049, a cryptocurrency and blockchain conference

V God’s life is highly disciplined. Mornings are usually his deep research time, where he reads the latest cryptography papers or writes technical proposals about Ethereum's future upgrades.

Afternoons may involve meetings with the core development team to discuss the details of the "Cancun upgrade," or discussions with scholars and students from local universities about more cutting-edge information.

V God speaking at Nanyang Technological University

Unlike many high-profile crypto CEOs, Buterin refuses to create a "cult leader" atmosphere in the office. His workspaces in Singapore include:

  • Shared office spaces in One-North
  • Blockchain labs at Nanyang Technological University
  • Several quiet cafés scattered throughout the city

Ethereum core developer Hsiao-Wei Wang revealed, "Vitalik's meetings always focus directly on technical topics, never wasting time defending his opinions. If the data proves him wrong, he will immediately change his stance." This pragmatic approach has allowed Ethereum to maintain technological iteration even during bear markets, successfully completing the Shanghai upgrade in 2023.

But surprisingly, his interests extend far beyond cryptocurrency.

In Singapore, he has begun to explore the relationship between technology and society more broadly. He often engages with AI researchers, mathematicians, and urban planning experts to discuss decentralized identity systems, post-quantum cryptography, and even the lessons to be learned from Singapore's public housing policies. A scholar who dined with him recalled, "We talked for three hours, covering topics from game theory to Platonic philosophy, with cryptocurrency only taking up a small part."

This cross-disciplinary thinking may suggest that V God is no longer just aiming to be a "blockchain leader," but is gradually shifting towards a more macro perspective on technology philosophy and social design.

Meanwhile, his social circle is not limited to the crypto industry. He enjoys Hainan chicken rice for 4 SGD at ordinary hawker centers and discusses international politics or science fiction novels with friends.

Famous Singaporean singer JJ Lin has also posted a photo with V God on social media, indicating that he has made quite a few new friends in Singapore beyond his daily life.

This "ordinary person" lifestyle seems out of place in a crypto elite circle filled with luxury cars and yacht parties, but it is precisely what makes V God unique—he remains vigilant about the alienation that wealth and fame can bring.

A Thinker Beyond Cryptocurrency

Singapore's open attitude towards cryptocurrency has attracted a large number of practitioners but also brought regulatory challenges.

V God has maintained a cautious yet constructive relationship with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). After the Terra/Luna incident in 2022, he publicly supported MAS's efforts to strengthen stablecoin regulation while also calling for "regulations that do not stifle genuine innovation."

This balanced stance is reflected in the composition of his social circle: it includes regulatory figures like former MAS Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty, as well as tech pioneers like the founder of Zilliqa. An associate professor at Singapore Management University commented, "Vitalik Buterin understands the wisdom of the Eastern 'Doctrine of the Mean.'"

Former MAS Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty

In recent years, Buterin's public speeches have increasingly focused on technology ethics. At the 2023 Singapore FinTech Festival, he introduced the concept of "Decentralized Society" (DeSoc), emphasizing that blockchain should serve social welfare rather than financial speculation. This shift aligns with changes in his reading habits—the proportion of political philosophy works in his Kindle reading list has noticeably increased.

Notably, he still maintains a pure love for mathematics. A member of the Singapore Mathematical Society recalled, "At a private gathering, Vitalik spent half an hour explaining his new insights on 'hypergraph' theory, his eyes sparkling like a college student."

"Going Incognito": In the Crypto Frenzy

V God's lifestyle in Singapore is, to some extent, a resistance to the over-commercialization of the crypto industry. While many projects are keen on hype, marketing, and short-term cashing out, he remains true to his identity as a cryptographer, focusing on the essence of technology.

His "going incognito" is not an escape but a proactive choice—in the digital age, true power may not lie in exposure but in absolute control over one's time and attention.

He does not need to be a performer in the spotlight because he has already proven that those who truly change the world are often the ones who know when to remain silent.

The heavy rains in Singapore come and go quickly. Local developers have seen V God enjoying solitary walks in East Coast Park after the rain. This habit may metaphorically reflect his current state: in the eye of the storm within the crypto industry, he chooses to be a calm observer, deeply involved in technological evolution while maintaining enough distance to examine the essence of the industry.

Vitalik Buterin's lifestyle in Singapore is less about "seclusion" and more about consciously choosing the ordinary.

He rejects the ostentatious culture common among crypto millionaires and instead focuses on technological research, philanthropy, and the simple joys of life. This choice may be one of the reasons he continues to maintain influence in the crypto world.

Perhaps this is the most precious insight that "V God" leaves for this era: In the technological frenzy, maintaining the integrity of humanity is more revolutionary than creating any disruptive technology.

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