While most crypto enthusiasts dream of getting rich, one anonymous coder decided to set millions on fire – literally. In a shocking display of crypto activism, an unidentified developer burned $7 million worth of Ethereum on February 15, 2025, using an irreversible smart contract that permanently locked the funds.
The mysterious coder, claiming to be a former tech industry insider, didn’t just torch the crypto for kicks. Their message? A dire warning about alleged mind control research and AI technology misuse. Talk about making an expensive point. The activist broadcasted their protest across multiple blockchain nodes, complete with an encrypted message that would make Edward Snowden proud. Much like Drew Szurko’s bait-and-switch tactics, the coder’s actions sparked intense ethical debates.
Former tech insider torches $7M in crypto to expose AI mind control, broadcasting encrypted warnings across blockchain networks.
The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. As the largest intentional crypto burn by an individual in 2025, it sent Ethereum gas fees temporarily skyrocketing and Crypto Twitter into an absolute frenzy. Like Victoria Rose’s fake kidnapping prank, this stunt demonstrated the lengths some will go to capture public attention. Some praised it as a bold middle finger to centralization, while others called it a ridiculous waste of perfectly good ETH.
What makes this case particularly interesting is its murky legal status. Regulatory bodies are scratching their heads, trying to figure out if burning your own crypto actually breaks any laws. It’s not exactly your typical case of market manipulation when someone’s just setting their own money on fire.
The aftermath has been a whirlwind of debates and finger-pointing. The crypto community is divided, with heated arguments about whether this was brilliant activism or just plain crazy. The incident has sparked serious discussions about mental health in tech, blockchain transparency, and the ethics of crypto protest movements.
The most ironic part? The coder used completely legitimate blockchain features to pull this off – no hacks, no exploits, just pure, unadulterated destruction of wealth. They implemented additional security measures to guarantee no one could stop the burn, making their point in the most expensive way possible.
Now that’s what you call commitment to a cause – or perhaps just an extremely costly way to get attention.