Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, engaged in a discussion with Michel Bauwens, founder of the P2P Foundation, in Chiang Mai about the evolving role of cryptocurrency amidst the rise of AI, aerospace, and biotechnology. Buterin reflected on Ethereum's early ideals centered around DeFi, DAOs, and social organization innovation, expressing concern over how meme coin mania and speculative cycles have diluted the industry's goals. He emphasized that the crypto sector should focus on rebuilding trust, improving collaboration, and enhancing verifiability in social and political contexts.