Виталик Бутерин анонсирует переход к децентрализованным соцсетям: новый подход к массовой коммуникации Vitalik Buterin announces transition to decentralized social networks: a new approach to mass communication.

Co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, announced his intention to fully return to utilizing decentralized social networks by 2026.

He stated that the world requires fundamentally new tools for mass communication. Buterin emphasized the need to move away from the current model, where everyone merely posts in one giant «informational battlefield,» similar to today’s X platform.

«We need mass communication tools that serve the long-term interests of users rather than maximize short-term engagement. There isn’t a simple trick to resolve these issues. However, an important starting point is increased competition,» wrote the programmer.

Buterin mentioned that in 2025, he «implemented two significant changes to the software» he uses:

In 2026, he plans to switch from Google Maps to OpenStreetMap, an open-source project where maps are created collaboratively by users across the globe.

«It’s important to minimize the number of applications, services, and individuals who have access to your location data,» noted the Ethereum co-founder.

Instead of Gmail, Buterin opted for ProtonMail, a Swiss secure email service that uses end-to-end encryption.

He is also exploring local LLM solutions, which «lack comprehensive integration.» For instance, there is an absence of a convenient universal interface (a sort of «Google Translate equivalent») that would integrate local models, audio transcription, and personal document searching.

«Ideally, we should progress in using local LLMs by employing specialized fine-tuned models to compensate for the limited parameters wherever possible,» emphasized the programmer.

Buterin identified decentralization as the key method to make this possible: by creating a common data layer, each person can develop their own interface on top of it.

These comments from the Ethereum co-founder come against the backdrop of changes in two major projects. On January 20, the decentralized social platform Lens Protocol announced that its future development will be handled by Mask Network.

The following day, a similar announcement was made by the Farcaster platform. Its complete tech stack—smart contracts, source code, main application, and the acquired token-launch platform Clanker—will be transferred to Neynar.

«This was not an easy decision. Farcaster and the people building on it mean a lot to us. We are proud of what our team has built and what the community has created together with us. However, after five years, it became clear that Farcaster needs a new approach and leadership to unlock its full potential,» wrote Farcaster co-founder Dan Romero.

Although neither Lens Protocol nor Farcaster have released their own tokens yet, Buterin criticized a prevalent approach within the industry.

According to him, many social blockchain projects merely add a speculative element, presenting it as innovation.

«Too often in the crypto community, it’s believed that if a speculative coin is attached to something, it automatically becomes ‘innovative’ and drives progress forward,» he wrote.

The Ethereum co-founder highlighted that the real challenge lies elsewhere—in addressing the fundamental social issues inherent in modern platforms.

«Decentralized social networks should be led by individuals who genuinely believe in a ‘social’ mission and whose primary motivation is to solve social problems,» Buterin concluded.

Recall that in January, he criticized the existing model of DAOs and urged the community to develop a more effective solution.