Core Insights - The world's largest asset managers, particularly BlackRock, are accumulating Ether at unprecedented rates, posing existential threats to Ethereum according to Vitalik Buterin [1][2] - Institutional capture could undermine Ethereum's core values, leading to risks that could fundamentally alter its purpose [2][4] Institutional Influence - Nine Wall Street firms currently hold over $18 billion in Ether, with treasury companies holding an additional $18 billion, indicating significant institutional interest [3] - Analysts predict that institutions may hold more than 10% of Ethereum's total supply in the near future, raising concerns about the impact of such concentration [3] Risks to Ethereum - **Risk One: Alienation of Core Community** - Increased institutional influence may drive away individuals who value decentralization, as they may not want to build for Wall Street [5][6] - The departure of these builders could result in a loss of technical expertise and commitment to decentralization [6] - **Risk Two: Poor Technical Decisions** - Institutional pressure may lead to technical choices that compromise Ethereum's accessibility, such as implementing faster block times that favor high-frequency trading but hinder ordinary users [7]