A short clip of Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin making a “meow” sound while kneeling before a robot and patting it on the head has gone viral—and not in a flattering way. Shared across X.com, the video quickly became the center of crypto community ridicule, with some calling the moment “sad” while others responded with harsh language and memes. The reaction highlights the ongoing divide between those who see Buterin’s eccentricities as part of his genius, and those who view it as a distraction amid Ethereum’s troubling market performance.

The timing of the video’s virality couldn't be worse. Ether, the native token of Ethereum, has struggled significantly since reaching the $4,000 mark in December 2024. Currently trading at $1,833, Ether has dropped more than 8% in just the past week, marking a steep 55% decline in a matter of months. This market dip has only intensified the scrutiny on Buterin’s public image and leadership.

As the video circulated, so did the backlash. When Buterin tried to shift attention back to serious matters by posting about funding public goods, the crypto community wasn’t having it. Comments ranged from dismissive to outright hostile. “NO ONE F–KING CARE[S],” one user snapped, while another accused him of being the only founder doing nothing but dumping airdrops. “WAKE UP VITALIK,” they added.

It’s not the first time Buterin’s public persona has been questioned. Known for his quirky, sometimes monk-like behavior, Buterin has never shied away from the unconventional. In a recent Bloomberg piece, his lifestyle was described as minimal and deeply cerebral. But that intellectual charm doesn’t always translate well to crypto Twitter. During the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore, he was previously mocked by artist Iggy Azalea for singing on stage, which she bluntly labeled “loser s—.”

Politically, Buterin has also stayed away from clear affiliations. He’s criticized both the former SEC chair Gary Gensler and the idea of “large-scale political coins,” which many took as a veiled critique of Trump and his increasing involvement in crypto. While many prominent crypto influencers have cozied up to Trump’s seemingly pro-crypto stance, Buterin has kept his distance, describing such tribalism as a “bronze-aged mindset.”

The viral meow may just be another chapter in Buterin’s long history of awkward internet moments, but it raises a deeper question for the Ethereum community. Can the project continue to inspire confidence when its most recognizable face often finds himself at the center of internet mockery? For some, it’s harmless and even endearing. For others, it’s a symptom of Ethereum’s growing identity crisis—between being a serious financial platform and a decentralized experiment led by an unpredictable visionary.