Vitalik Buterin is one of the most recognizable names in the world of crypto. One of the youngest crypto founders, the creator of Ethereum is often described as a “crypto prodigy” and “young genius.” In this article, you’ll find out what Vitalik Buterin’s IQ is. You’ll also learn more about his childhood, upbringing, academic life, path to creating Ethereum, and current net worth.
How Old Is Vitalik Buterin?
Buterin was born Vitaliy Dmitriyevich Buterin on January 31, 1994, which would make him 28 years old as of late 2022. He is the only child of Dmitry “Dima” Buterin, a computer scientist and entrepreneur, and Natalia Ameline, a blockchain literacy activist.
Dima and Natalia married very young and had Vitalik when they were both just 21. Their marriage didn’t last long, but they were determined to create a safe and loving environment for Vitalik. Even as they fled their home country, both parents moved to the same city, intent on playing an active role in their son’s upbringing.
Where Is Vitalik Buterin From?
Vitalik was born in Kolomna, a small city near the Russian capital of Moscow, which is where he spent the first six years of his life. His parents then decided to move to Canada, disillusioned with Russia’s political situation and eager to find better employment opportunities.
Natalia was the first to move to Canada — she chose Edmonton, the capital of the Alberta province. A year later, Dmitry and Vitalik arrived in Toronto and were soon joined by Natalia, who wanted to be near her son. Vitalik would remain in Toronto for the rest of his childhood.
What Is Vitalik Buterin’s IQ?
While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, numerous sources cite Buterin’s IQ as 257. Any score above 130 on standardized tests constitutes a high IQ, so at nearly twice that number, Buterin’s score is deemed unusually high. What’s more, according to the high-IQ organization Mensa, people who score above 132 are among the top 2% of test takers. This means that Vitalik Buterin’s IQ level ranks him as one of the most intelligent people in the world.
To those who know Buterin’s life story, the fact that he has an unusually high IQ is by no means a surprise. In third grade, he was placed in a program for gifted students. He was interested in mathematics and programming, developed a knack for economics, and could add large numbers in his head twice as fast as his peers. His hunger for knowledge and reputation for being a math genius followed him into his high school years.
Does Vitalik Buterin Have a PhD?
Like many of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, Buterin didn’t even graduate from the university. And while this means he didn’t obtain a PhD the traditional way, in 2018, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel in Switzerland.
As for his academic journey, Buterin graduated from the Abelard School, one of Toronto’s leading private high schools. After that, he enrolled in the University of Waterloo, where he took some advanced courses. However, by that time, he was already obsessed with blockchain technology and the idea of decentralized services. Soon enough, traveling, writing, and crypto-related research consumed all his time, prompting him to drop out of the university.
Who Created Ethereum with Buterin?
While researching various crypto projects around the world, Buterin noticed they weren’t broad enough. His idea was to implement a programming language that would enable computers to solve a wide range of problems with the help of appropriate algorithms. As other existing crypto projects weren’t interested in implementing his idea, there was only one possible solution — the creation of a brand-new blockchain platform by Vitalik Buterin.
Dubbed Ethereum, the blockchain platform built around the cryptocurrency of the same name was first introduced in 2014. Buterin wasn’t alone in this — Charles Hoskinson, Mihai Alise, Joe Lubin, Gavin Wood, and Anthony Di Iorio were all among the founders of Ethereum. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Ethereum was registered in Switzerland and officially launched. Nowadays, Ethereum is the second most popular cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin.
How Much Is Vitalik Buterin Worth?
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Buterin keeps all his assets in cryptocurrencies. According to the latest estimates, he has close to 290,000 Ethereum (ETH) divided across two wallets. With ETH valued at around $1,610, the creator of Ethereum’s net worth is estimated at $466 million.
The value of cryptocurrency constantly fluctuates, so Buterin’s net worth is also subject to change. During the crypto boom of 2021, his assets were worth $1.5 billion at one point, earning him the title of the youngest crypto billionaire. And while he no longer ranks as a billionaire, he could become one in the future if the value of Ethereum goes up again.
Vitalik Buterin IQ: The Takeaway
If online rumors are anything to go by, the founder of Ethereum has an unusually high IQ of 257. Considering that he was merely 19 when he launched his immensely successful cryptocurrency, the fact that Vitalik Buterin’s IQ makes him a genius isn’t hard to believe. His constant pursuit of innovation has brought him countless recognitions around the globe. He is also among the rare entrepreneurs who keep all their assets in crypto, proving that he truly believes in his mission.
