Vitalik Buterin Responds to “Developers Can Steal Anyone’s Cryptocurrencies” Claim

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has issued a statement to address recent concerns regarding the security of Layer 2 (L2) networks following claims that “all major Layer 2 networks on the mainnet can technically steal user funds.”

Buterin argued that Phase 1 rules require a 75% vote threshold by the security committee to overturn any code, a critical safeguard within the system.

More importantly, at least 26% of voting members must be independent of the company, ensuring that organizations like Optimism and Arbitrum cannot unilaterally access or steal user funds, according to Buterin.

Buterin’s comments come at a time when his on-chain activity has been in the spotlight. Earlier today, Lookonchain revealed that a wallet connected to Buterin had moved 800 ETH worth around $2.01 million to a multisig wallet. The account also noted that 190 ETH was later exchanged for 477,000 USDC.

This transaction follows a similar transfer on August 9, when Buterin moved 3,000 ETH, worth $8.04 million at the time, to the same multisig wallet.

*This is not investment advice.