{"id":69020,"date":"2026-01-23T15:40:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/?p=69020"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:40:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:40:56","slug":"vitalik-says-2026-is-the-year-to-ditch-big-tech-bullish-for-eth-usd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/?p=69020","title":{"rendered":"Vitalik Says 2026 Is the Year to Ditch Big Tech: Bullish for ETH USD?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Ethereum cofounder Vitalik Buterin said 2026 will mark a turning point, with users reclaiming control over their digital lives by ditching Big Tech software such as Google Maps and Gmail.<\/p>\n<p>ETH USD is down -3% in the past 24 hours, following Vitalik\u2019s statement, suggesting the market viewed it as a long-term signal rather than a short-term price catalyst.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<div class=\"chart crypto-chart-instance\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b\" data-coin-id=\"ethereum\">\n<div class=\"chart__header\">\n<div class=\"chart__info\">\n<div class=\"chart__info-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<img id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-icon-img\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"chart__info-name\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-name\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__info-symbol\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-symbol\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__info-current\">\n<div class=\"chart__info-price\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-price\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__info-change\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-change\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__info-extra\">\n<div class=\"chart__info-label\">Market Cap<\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__info-marketcap\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-chart__info-marketcap\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__controls\">\n<div class=\"chart__controls-group\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"chart__button chart__button--24h\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-btn-24h\">24h<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"chart__button chart__button--7d\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-btn-7d\">7d<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"chart__button chart__button--30d\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-btn-30d\">30d<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"chart__button chart__button--1y\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-btn-1y\">1y<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"chart__button chart__button--all-time\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-btn-all-time\">All Time<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__container\">\n\t\t<canvas class=\"chart__canvas\" id=\"crypto_chart_69738b107ef5b-cryptoChart\"><\/canvas>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The broader crypto market continues to struggle this week amid global macroeconomic issues, as the combined crypto market cap slipped below $3.1 trillion in the past few hours. A loss of the $3 trillion level would be problematic, as it acts as an established safety net for the market.<\/p>\n<p>The comments by the Ethereum co-founder come amid OG figures refocusing on privacy and decentralization amid heightened regulation and institutional control over the digital asset space.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2026 is the year we take back lost ground in computing self-sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>But this applies far beyond the blockchain world.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, I made two major changes to the software I use:<\/p>\n<p>* Switched almost fully to <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/caFP0K5fYF\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/t.co\/caFP0K5fYF<\/a> (open source encrypted decentralized docs)<br \/>*\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VitalikButerin\/status\/2014454477152256415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>What Does Vitalik Mean by \u201cSelf-Sovereign Computing\u201d After Ditching Gmail and Google Maps?<\/h2>\n<p>In a long X post, Vitalik Buterin references \u2018Self-sovereign computing\u2019 multiple times when discussing switching from centralized apps with minimal privacy measures to decentralized versions that support anonymity.<\/p>\n<p>Vitalik said he had already replaced Gmail with ProtonMail, Google Maps with Organic Maps, and Telegram with Signal. He also uses Fileverse, which works like Google Docs but is open source and stores files in a decentralized manner. No central server. No silent data logging.<\/p>\n<p>Why this matters: data leaks and government data requests keep rising. While Telegram only encrypts optional \u201csecret chats,\u201d Signal encrypts everything by default. One choice gives convenience, and the other gives full privacy controls.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t the first time the Ethereum co-founder has gone public in his backing of privacy-focused and decentralized apps, and in November 2025, he announced support for Kohaku, a suite of privacy-preserving crypto tools to enhance privacy and security in the Ethereum ecosystem.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Privacy matters. Today during <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/web3privacy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">@web3privacy<\/a>, maestro <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VitalikButerin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">@VitalikButerin<\/a> highlighted <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Kohaku?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">#Kohaku<\/a>, a new Ethereum framework focused on bringing real privacy to wallets. All 8mins! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WyefD2wauK\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/WyefD2wauK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 gaudenzio.eth (@gaudenzio_eth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gaudenzio_eth\/status\/1990094009146953949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">November 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>EXPLORE: <a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/cryptocurrency\/best-solana-meme-coins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in January 2026\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Ethereum\u2019s 2026 Push Goes Beyond Apps in Much-Needed Boost to ETH USD<\/h2>\n<p>This is not a personal lifestyle blog. It signals where Ethereum is heading. Buterin has warned that Ethereum leaned too hard on centralized services like Infura and Alchemy, which act as middlemen between users and the blockchain.<\/p>\n<p>In 2026, Ethereum plans upgrades that let more people verify the network from their own devices. Tools like ZK\u2011EVMs and local nodes aim to reduce reliance on third parties. If that sounds abstract, here\u2019s the simple version: fewer gatekeepers between you and your crypto.<\/p>\n<p>That theme also shows up in <a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/news\/altcoins\/ethereum-trust-me-wallets-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ethereum\u2019s 2026 wallet changes<\/a>, where developers want wallets to protect users even when apps fail or lie. This lowers the chance of silent failures that drain funds.<\/p>\n<p>A push toward ultimate decentralization and a focus on privacy could be the much-needed spark for Ethereum\u2019s price after a tepid few years in which any bullish momentum has been killed before it could really get going.<\/p>\n<p>While Bitcoin made multiple new all-time highs in 2025, surpassing its 2021 high of $65,600 by around 90% as it soared to $126,000 in October, ETH USD only managed to beat its 2021 all-time high by $100, hitting $4,946 before rejecting hard at $5,000.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-330457 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-scaled.png\" alt=\"Ethereum founder Vitalik has switched from Google Maps and Gmail to decentralized apps in a bid for privacy. What does it mean for ETH USD?\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-1024x508.png 1024w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-768x381.png 768w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-130x63.png 130w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-1536x762.png 1536w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-2048x1016.png 2048w, https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-at-12.37.21-50x25.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"><\/p>\n<p>(SOURCE: <strong><a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tradingview.com\/symbols\/ETHBTC\/?timeframe=6M\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">TradingView<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n<h2>Can Ethereum Replace Tech Giants Like Google With Shift to \u2018Computing Self-Sovereignty\u2019?<\/h2>\n<p>Users gain privacy and independence. Developers building open-source tools gain relevance. Big Tech loses visibility into user behavior. That shift threatens ad-driven business models.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a cultural shift. Running software locally feels harder at first. But it removes single points of failure. One outage no longer locks you out of your digital life.<\/p>\n<p>This vision matches Vitalik\u2019s long-standing views on decentralization and plans for the Ethereum network. He has criticized power concentration before, including in <a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/news\/altcoins\/vitalik-buterin-dao-governance-rethink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">his pushback against DAO governance<\/a> dominated by whales. This is the same theme, but coming from a different angle.<\/p>\n<p>Local AI models still require strong hardware. Self-hosted tools demand patience. Interfaces lag behind Big Tech polish, and\u00a0usability remains the biggest barrier.<\/p>\n<p>This is not a call to delete everything tomorrow. The likes of Google Maps and Gmail will remain staples for most people for some time yet. It is merely a roadmap, and early adopters will face friction. In a tale as old as time, mainstream users will only follow once tools feel familiar and easy to use.<\/p>\n<p>Privacy remains a major talking point in crypto, with Vitalik and Ethereum at the forefront. 2026 could be the year when that shift goes beyond the blog posts on social media and actually starts being put into effect.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DISCOVER:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/cryptocurrency\/next-100x-crypto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\"><strong>16+ New and Upcoming Binance Listings in 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/report\/state-of-crypto-q4-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">99Bitcoins\u2019 Q4 2025 State of Crypto Market Report<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/discord.gg\/B7Uk6agkqj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Follow 99Bitcoins on\u00a0<\/span><\/a><a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/99BitcoinsHQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">X<\/a>\u00a0For the Latest Market Updates and Subscribe on\u00a0<a class=\"general-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@99bitcoins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">YouTube<\/a>\u00a0For Daily Expert Market Analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/news\/altcoins\/vitalik-2026-self-sovereign-computing\/\">Vitalik Says 2026 Is the Year to Ditch Big Tech: Bullish for ETH USD?<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/99bitcoins.com\/\">99Bitcoins<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ethereum cofounder Vitalik Buterin said 2026 will mark a turning point, with users reclaiming control over their digital lives by ditching Big Tech software such as Google Maps and Gmail. ETH USD is down -3% in the past 24 hours, following Vitalik\u2019s statement, suggesting the market viewed it as a long-term signal rather than a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3,4,5],"class_list":["post-69020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-crypto","tag-doge","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69020\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dogewisperer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}