A recent study by journalist and crypto enthusiast Eleanor Terrett has revealed that Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is the co-founder of Wanxiang Blockchain, a Chinese company that also has stakes in Prometheum, a US-based crypto exchange.
According to Terrett, Buterin is also the Principal Investigator of Wanxiang Blockchain Labs, a research nonprofit funded by China Wanxiang Holdings.
The journalist, Buterin's Vice President and Executive Director of China Wanxiang Holdings, Dr. He found that along with Feng Xiao and BitShares co-founder Bo Shen, he was cited as the co-founder of Wanxiang Blockchain. It also revealed that Wanxiang Blockchain Labs had announced Buterin as its co-founder and Principal Investigator in an August 10, 2016 statement.
Ethereum co-founder @VitalikButerin is listed as a co-founder of @WXblockchain, a part owner of @PrometheumInc which was recently given rights to operate a #crypto exchange in the U.S. Other filings show Buterin is also Chief Scientist at Wanxiang Blockchain Labs. pic.twitter.com/ywdl4u97RM
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) June 21, 2023
Wanxiang Blockchain Labs describes itself as a "non-profit research institution focused on blockchain technology" that will "provide support for research, entrepreneurship, developments and applications in the industry". It also claims to host the 2016 International Blockchain Week, a major event featuring speakers like Buterin, Gavin Wood, Joseph Lubin, and Nick Szabo.
Terrett also found that Wanxiang Blockchain has ties to Prometheum, a company that has recently received approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate a cryptocurrency exchange.
Terrett also found that Wanxiang Blockchain has ties to Prometheum, a company that has recently received approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate a crypto exchange. According to Terrett, Wanxiang Blockchain was founded by Fenbushi Capital de Buterin and Shen, a partial owner of Prometheum, through its subsidiary Fenbushi Capital, which invested $12 million in Prometheum in 2018.
Xiao also has a $500,000 donation to the Ethereum Foundation.
*Not investment advice.