Montenegro has just offered citizenship to Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum (ETH). The move symbolizes the country’s commitment to becoming one of the leaders in blockchain. On Buterin’s advice, the Montenegrin government has notably pledged to put in place “attractive” legislation to entice crypto-asset companies.
Vitalik Buterin became a citizen of Montenegro
Vitalik Buterin, the illustrious co-founder of Ethereum (ETH) has become a citizen of Montenegro, a Balkan country. According to official announcements relayed by Radio Televizija Crne Gore (RTCG), the nation’s public radio station, Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić and Finance Minister Milojko Spajić are behind the initiative. The authorities of Montenegro state:
“Minister of Interior Sergej Sekulović, recognizing the importance of this initiative, made a decision to admit Vitalik Buterin to Montenegrin citizenship on the proposal of the Prime Minister, and today he received a Montenegrin passport.”
The co-founder of Ethereum received Montenegrin citizenship during a visit organized by the country’s finance minister. Several players in the cryptocurrency sector actually visited Montenegrin soil at the request of the government in early April 2022.
Montenegro pledges to become a leader in blockchain
As part of the visit, a series of lectures and meetings between Montenegrin leaders and blockchain experts were held. During a panel discussion, Vitalik Buterin advised the government, among other things, to set up a legislative framework around crypto-assets.
Montenegro furthermore states that it is striving “to establish a legislative framework that will enable the best use of this technology and contribute to the growth of the gross domestic product.”
According to the words of Milojko Spajić relayed by the Mina news agency, the country’s future regulatory framework will facilitate investments while protecting investors from criminals. He states:
“We want to create a law, better than the best law that currently exists in the world. […] We will allow all those who have innovative ideas and the will to make them happen, to use new and alternative sources of financing.
The co-founder of Ethereum also encouraged the Montenegrin power to educate younger people about blockchain.
Vitalik Buterin’s accession to citizenship is part of a broad campaign to make Montenegro one of the leaders in blockchain. Indeed, the country’s new government, which came to power in February 2022, has pledged to promote blockchain on its territory to “attract billions of euros in investments and create thousands of well-paying jobs for our youth.”
The Montenegrin administration believes that it is essential to collaborate with experts in the cryptocurrency world in order to “contribute to the development of the Montenegrin economy, attract investments and create well-paid jobs in this industry.”
Mirroring many countries, including Ukraine and El Salvador, Montenegro wants to take advantage of the digital asset craze to boost its economy, which is heavily dependent on the tourism and construction sectors.
