Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Pluralistic Identity in Blockchain

On June 28, 2025, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published a blog post addressing concerns about identity management in the blockchain space. Buterin urged the crypto community to reconsider the reliance on singular digital ID solutions, highlighting the potential risks associated with zero-knowledge (ZK) technology when applied to rigid identity structures.

Concerns Over ZK-Wrapped IDs

Buterin emphasized that while ZK technology has significantly enhanced privacy protections by allowing individuals to verify personal attributes without revealing underlying data, it also introduces new vulnerabilities. He pointed out that simply wrapping traditional IDs in ZK proofs does not address the core issues within identity systems. A major risk identified by Buterin is the trend towards a “one-identity-per-person” model, which could undermine pseudonymity and expose individuals to coercion.

“The practical level of pseudonymity that you get is plausibly lower than today’s status quo, and so under one-per-person ID, even if ZK-wrapped, we risk coming closer to a world where all of your activity must de-facto be under a single public identity,” Buterin stated.

Proposal for Pluralistic Identity

To counter these risks, Buterin proposed the concept of “pluralistic identity.” This approach aims to protect user privacy while ensuring fair access and participation in digital life. Pluralistic identity would allow individuals to maintain multiple identities, thereby preserving the benefits of pseudonymity and reducing the potential for coercion.

Buterin highlighted that many new digital ID projects, such as Worldcoin’s World ID, Taiwan’s digital ID project, and European Union initiatives, are increasingly adopting ZK technology. While acknowledging the advantages of ZK-wrapping, he warned that rigid enforcement of a single identity per person could lead to significant privacy and security issues.

zkSync Market Overview

In the broader context of the cryptocurrency market, zkSync, a prominent crypto asset, closed at a price of $0.0443476 on June 26, 2025. The asset’s 52-week high was $0.272206 on December 6, 2024, and its 52-week low was $0.0368947 on June 21, 2025. As of the latest data, zkSync’s market capitalization stands at approximately $314,383,710.93.

Buterin’s call for a shift towards pluralistic identity reflects ongoing discussions within the crypto community about balancing privacy, security, and accessibility in digital identity systems.