At the Convergence 2025 event on December 23, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin highlighted the risks of closed-source practices in cryptocurrency projects. Buterin explained that the gradual shift from open-source to closed-source models often begins with the introduction of centralized servers or multisignature setups for convenience. This can lead to the adoption of proprietary licenses aimed at reducing competition. Buterin cautioned that such compromises undermine the foundational principles of cryptocurrency by stripping projects of their "public commons" status. He warned that this shift binds projects to specific interest groups, potentially jeopardizing their independence and original mission.