Vitalik Buterin has been suggested as a potential candidate for the Nobel Prize in Economics for his pioneering contributions to the field of cryptocurrency.

In recent discussions, several economists have put forward Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, as a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Economics. They argue that his innovative work in the cryptocurrency space makes him a deserving contender for the prestigious award.

On October 8, 2024, during an episode of the Marginal Revolution podcast, renowned economists Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok talked about possible candidates for this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics. While they mentioned traditional economists like Michael Woodford, Susan Athey, and Ariel Pakes, they also made a bold prediction by nominating Vitalik Buterin for his impact on the world of cryptocurrency.

Tyler Cowen praised Buterin’s groundbreaking work in monetary economics within the crypto domain, suggesting that his contributions surpass those of most conventional economists. “Vitalik has created a platform and a form of currency, effectively challenging established economic theories like Mises’s regression theorem. His work is a continuation of Satoshi Nakamoto’s achievements. What more must a person do to win the Nobel Prize?” Cowen remarked.

The economists also highlighted Buterin’s role in Ethereum’s transition from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system with the Merge upgrade in 2022. Tabarrok likened the seamless transition to "changing a car's tires while it’s still moving" and called the feat extraordinary.

In addition to his technical achievements, Cowen also spoke highly of Buterin’s character, noting his humility and suitability for the award. Buterin’s extensive charitable contributions, which total millions of dollars, were also acknowledged as part of his positive influence on society.

In 2018, Buterin was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Basel in recognition of his work in blockchain technology, further establishing his reputation as a leader in the field.

The announcement of the Nobel Prize in Economics, officially known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, will take place on October 14.

Vitalik Buterin’s nomination stems from his work on Ethereum, a blockchain designed to support decentralized applications and financial services. Launched in 2013, Ethereum has evolved beyond Bitcoin's limitations. Currently, Ethereum is the largest blockchain network by total value locked (TVL), exceeding $44.5 billion, with its cryptocurrency, ETH, holding a market capitalization of over $293 billion.