Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin Reveals Truth Behind Ripple Rejection Allegation

A recent tweet sparked an interesting exchange between Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin and another user on the social media platform X. The tweet highlighted stories of notable tech figures, including Vitalik, who faced setbacks before finding success in the crypto world.

Buterin’s response added a new twist to his well-known journey, clarifying what really happened during his early days.

Setbacks Can Lead to Success

User zjj.eth shared a tweet discussing how being fired or rejected can sometimes be a hidden blessing. The tweet featured several prominent individuals, including Vitalik Buterin, who faced rejection before creating significant technologies.

According to the tweet, Buterin was rejected by Ripple, which led him to build Ethereum—now one of the most successful blockchain platforms. The tweet also mentioned other notable examples, such as Hayden Adams, who was fired from Siemens before creating Uniswap, and zjj.eth, who moved into censorship technology after being fired from Meituan.

Buterin Sets the Record Straight

Buterin responded to the tweet to clarify a key detail. He explained that Ripple did not actually reject him. Instead, it was the U.S. government’s visa policy that stopped him from joining Ripple.

Buterin stated, “Ripple accepted me in 2 minutes; it was the US government visa policy that rejected me.” This clarification highlights that external circumstances, rather than a lack of opportunity, played a role in his journey.

For Vitalik, being unable to join Ripple due to visa issues ultimately led him to focus on Ethereum, which has since become one of the most important blockchain platforms in the world. 

Do you believe that rejection can sometimes be a blessing in disguise? Share your thoughts.