Vitalik Buterin returns to Buenos Aires and analyzes the change in the local technology ecosystem
For a week, the Argentine capital cemented itself as one of the global centers of blockchain development. The Devconnect Conference brought together programmers, infrastructure companies and industry leaders, in a context where the adoption of decentralized technologies is high on the public and private agenda. Among the guests there is Vitalik ButerinFounder of Ethereum, who shared his vision of the country’s present and future within the global innovation map.
The Russian-Canadian representative noted that his decision to choose Buenos Aires as the venue for this event came in response to the sustainable growth of the local community. He stressed that the technical level achieved by Argentine developers and companies actually competes with the traditional poles of the United States and Europe, especially in infrastructure projects for the Ethereum network and in advanced crypto applications.
The phrase that characterized his visit: a change in perception of Argentina
Starting in the third paragraph of his presentation, Buterin revealed an analysis that attracted international attention. As he explained, during his first visits – five years ago – the idea that the country “could be better” was prevalent among Argentines. Today, after observing the development of the ecosystem and the new economic climate, he stated that the feeling has changed towards strength: “Argentina is improving”.
The founder of Ethereum linked this shift to the strengthening of the technological community, the increased use of cryptocurrencies, and the emergence of new spaces for institutional experimentation. He stressed that growth does not depend only on companies or governments, but rather on thousands of users and developers who are able to maintain the continuous process of innovation.
Digital identity, privacy and risk: developing public infrastructure
One of the aspects that has attracted the most attention from the international ecosystem is the development of digital identity systems based on zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs. Buenos Aires was one of the first cities to implement solutions of this kind, able to verify identities without revealing sensitive personal information.
Buterin warned that these types of technologies could become valuable tools if applied with privacy safeguards. Otherwise, they can lead to models of control and surveillance. He said that the solution lies in building mechanisms that can be verified without concentrating power in the hands of a single actor, whether a state or a company.
An institutional challenge that transcends governments
The founder of Ethereum insisted on the need to develop an institutional infrastructure that remains stable even in the face of political changes. He considered that global cooperation in science and software requires systems in which no authority has the ability to monitor or manipulate the operation of the network.
According to Buterin, it will only be possible to maintain the first phase of the benefits offered by the Internet and expand them to include a new generation of decentralized services through independent and transparent governance models.
Interaction between artificial intelligence and blockchain
Buterin described the remarkable growth in projects that combine artificial intelligence and blockchain. Although many experiments fall short of their goal, he said that the technologies retain complementary capabilities: from more secure digital wallets to smart contracts capable of integrating artificial intelligence agents to improve the efficiency of systems.
In the end-user area, he emphasized that future wallets must balance security, privacy, and ease of use. AI models that run locally – without sending data to external servers – could become a standard for protection.
Ethereum development and network scaling plans
Regarding the technical challenges facing Ethereum, Buterin explained that the protocol will include updates capable of multiplying processing capacity tenfold. The goal is to keep any user able to run a node without the need for expensive hardware. To do this, new applications simplify block verification and add ZK tests that allow chain validation even from mobile phones.
These improvements are complemented by Kohaku, a new toolset for developers that makes it easier to create wallets with greater privacy and built-in security.
Cryptocurrency Market, Real Adoption and Future of Argentina
In response to a question about the recent decline in cryptocurrency market prices, Buterin noted that volatility is part of the historical behavior of the sector. He stressed that sustainable growth depends on real use cases, not on widespread expectations or optimistic narratives. For him, competition with artificial intelligence is forcing the blockchain ecosystem to show its tangible value.
Regarding Argentina’s future, Buterin was optimistic. Users have been identified with benefits in financial mobility, alternatives to economic instability, and access to global services. For developers, he recommended participating in open projects, contributing to the community, and accepting jobs in the cryptocurrency space to accelerate their professional growth.
A country in the process of transformation within the global map of Ethereum
The founder concluded his analysis by highlighting that the combination of local talent, institutional experience and the most favorable social climate places Argentina as a unique case within the global ecosystem. His message became one of the most talked about headlines at the event and sparked debate about the country’s role in the next 10 years.
The statement is that “Argentina is improving” It has resonated as a turning point that brings together international perception of the country’s development and its potential in the world of cryptocurrencies.