The post Vitalik Buterin Calls for “Sovereign Web” to Counter Corporate Digital Exploitation appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

TLDR: Buterin defines “corposlop” as corporate systems blending sleek branding with unethical profit maximization. Bitcoin maximalists recognized corporate threats early but relied on government intervention and limited functionality. Modern sovereignty requires cryptographic privacy and resistance to corporate manipulation of user attention. Buterin advocates privacy-preserving apps, user-controlled social media, and open-source AI for digital independence.   Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined his vision for a “Sovereign Web” in a recent Farcaster post.  He defined “corposlop” as corporate systems that blend sleek branding with profit-driven practices that harm users.  Buterin advocates for privacy-focused tools, ethical financial platforms, and open-source artificial intelligence to counter corporate digital dominance. Bitcoin Maximalists Recognized Corporate Threats Early Buterin acknowledged that Bitcoin maximalists identified corporate exploitation before many others in the cryptocurrency space.  Their resistance to initial coin offerings and alternative tokens stemmed from protecting Bitcoin’s sovereign nature.  However, their approach relied heavily on government intervention and limiting Bitcoin’s functionality through restricted scripting capabilities. The Ethereum founder explained that corposlop combines three elements: corporate optimization, polished professional branding, and unethical profit maximization.  He pointed to social media platforms engineering dopamine-driven engagement at users’ expense. Mass data collection paired with careless management represents another facet of this corporate behavior. I agree with maybe 60% of this, but one bit that is particularly important to highlight is the explicit separation between what the poster calls “the open web” (really, the corposlop web), and “the sovereign web”.https://t.co/okseUw8F6X This is a distinction I did not realize… — vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 10, 2026 Buterin referenced Zac from Aztec, who previously identified similar threats to digital freedom. The concept of sovereignty has evolved beyond avoiding government control.  Modern sovereignty requires cryptographic privacy protections and resistance to corporate manipulation of attention and spending habits. Corporate Practices Sacrifice User Value for Engagement Walled garden platforms…

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Filed under: News - @ January 11, 2026 5:21 am