'Misunderstanding': Vitalik Buterin to Create New Entity for Russian Bank Deal

Russian bank Vnesheconombank is shedding light on its work with ethereum creator, Vitalik Buterin, and pledging to retract past statements.

AccessTimeIconAug 31, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 6:52 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

New information is coming to light about the relationship between Russian state-owned development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) and ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin.

First reported as a partnership that would find the state-owned bank collaborating directly with the Ethereum Foundation, the non-profit for which Buterin serves as council, the VEB has confirmed it will be retracting public statements to that effect.

According to Buterin and the VEB, a deal has actually been struck with a new entity, Ethereum Russia, which is being created for the partnership. Buterin, in statements to CoinDesk, called the press release, issued yesterday, a "misunderstanding."

The new entity is founded by Buterin and Vladislav Martynov, CEO of Yota Devices, a Russia-based mobile communications and connectivity devices company.

Maryynov told CoinDesk:

"We signed, not a partnership, a kind of collaboration agreement ... where we, and when I say we, it's Ethereum Russia, the company which is founded by Vitalik and myself, we provide, we provide specific support, we took a commitment to provide specific support to the bank."

According to Martynov, Ethereum Russia will provide education, events and architecture review for VEB, while also providing support to the development of the new center for blockchain research at the National University of Science and Technology (MISIS). The new center is being funded by the bank and geared towards providing solutions to government services.

Martynov clarified that the difference between Ethereum Russia and Ethereum Foundation is that while the Foundation must be left "pure" and free from conflicts of interest, other variations can collaborate with government and corporate bodies.

Vitalik Buterin image via YouTube

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.