Ethereum News Today: Buterin Slashes Meme Coins, Channels Funds to Social Causes

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has once again liquidated a batch of unsolicited meme tokens, converting them into 22.14 ETH (approximately $96,400) via Uniswap's Universal Router on October 10, 2025. The transactions involved 40.25 billion SPURDO, 10.31 billion MARVIN, and six trillion DOJO tokens, which were swiftly swapped into ETH within minutes Cryptonews.com^[1]. Following the sale, Buterin transferred 70 ETH (roughly $304,000) to a new wallet associated with the Methuselah Foundation, later routing the funds through Railgun, a privacy-focused protocol that obscures transaction details Onchain Lens^[2].

This activity aligns with Buterin's long-standing policy of rejecting or donating tokens sent to his "vitalik.eth" wallet without consent. He has previously criticized such airdrops as speculative distractions, emphasizing his commitment to Ethereum's core development over meme-driven hype. In 2021 and 2023, he similarly sold or donated tokens like SHIBA INU and AKITA, often triggering short-term volatility in those projects Cryptonews.com^[1]. The recent sale of SPURDO and MARVIN-meme coins inspired by internet culture-follows a pattern of rejecting speculative assets that leverage his public profile for visibility Cryptonews.com^[1].

SPURDO and MARVIN are community-distributed tokens rooted in internet memes. SPURDO, based on a Finnish internet character, and MARVIN, themed around Elon Musk's dog, have historically relied on social media trends for trading activity. Analysts note that Buterin's transactions often amplify market reactions, with past sales leading to price swings as traders react to his moves Cryptonews.com^[1]. While the immediate impact on these tokens remains to be seen, the broader trend reinforces Buterin's role as a cautionary figure against meme coin speculation.

The Ethereum co-founder's broader approach to meme tokens includes redirecting their value toward social causes. In 2024, he donated 10 billion tokens to an anti-airborne-disease tech project and contributed animal-themed tokens to the Effective Altruism Funds' Animal Welfare Fund Cryptonews.com^[1]. Earlier in 2025, he liquidated $2.5 million in meme coins, with $984,000 in USDC transferred to his Kanro biotech fund, underscoring his focus on public health and scientific research Cryptonews.com^[1].

Blockchain transparency remains a central theme in Buterin's activities. Despite his use of privacy tools like Railgun, the on-chain nature of his transactions ensures visibility into his movements. The recent transfer of 70 ETH through Railgun highlights his interest in balancing privacy with accountability, a stance he has reiterated in public discussions about blockchain's future Onchain Lens^[2].

Market watchers observe that Buterin's actions reflect Ethereum's evolving ecosystem, where privacy protocols and speculative assets coexist. While meme coins continue to attract attention, figures like Buterin emphasize the need for sustainable innovation. His consistent rejection of unsolicited tokens underscores a broader critique of the crypto space's tendency to conflate visibility with legitimacy, a dynamic that remains contentious among investors and developers.