Montenegro has granted citizenship to Vitalik Buterin, one of the co-founders of Ethereum. This move is part of a larger initiative to invite experienced members of the global cryptocurrency community to help develop Montenegro’s blockchain sector and attract investments to the small Southeast European nation.

(Vitalik Buterin and Milojko Spajić. Source: Finance Ministry of Montenegro.)

Vitalik Buterin Obtains Montenegrin Passport
Prominent crypto figure Vitalik Buterin is now a citizen of Montenegro, the country’s public service broadcaster revealed this week. Radio Televizija Crne Gore (RTCG) quoted an official announcement from the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare in Podgorica.

According to the report, the Russian-born Canadian programmer and blockchain specialist acquired his new Montenegrin passport at the suggestion of Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić and the Minister of Finance Milojko Spajić. A statement from his department noted:

“Minister of the Interior Sergej Sekulović, recognizing the importance of this initiative, made the decision to admit Vitalik Buterin to Montenegrin citizenship at the proposal of the prime minister, and today he was handed a Montenegrin passport.”

The finance ministry pointed out that a group of global crypto experts have visited Montenegro at the invitation of Minister Spajić. Montenegrin authorities believe the cooperation with them will contribute to developing the country’s economy, attracting investments and creating new, high-paying jobs in this particular field.

In comments made after a recent panel called “Future Now! A new era of Montenegrin finances,” Buterin stated that Montenegro must have a good legislative basis as well as the necessary capacity to educate the young generations so that its citizens can benefit from the technologies associated with digital assets.

The co-founder of Ethereum, one of the best-known representatives of the crypto space, is expected to support the further promotion of Montenegro and the overall development of the blockchain industry in the small Balkan nation. The country is currently working on a comprehensive legislative framework that would enable the best use of crypto technology and spur growth in the sector.