DeFi, DAOs or NFTs? Without the invention of Ethereum, none of this would exist. Released into the world in the summer of 2015, the blockchain transformed the cryptocurrency cosmos in just seven years. Today, Ethereum spans a digital ecosystem worth hundreds of billions of dollars and is poised to become the internet of the future. The pioneers of yesteryear – Vitalik Buterin, Charles Hoskinson or Gavin Wood – have long since become larger than life developer stars. And yet the history of this rapid smart contract revolution is still largely obscure. Until now.
With “Infinite Machine” (2020) and “Cryptopians” (2022), two excellently researched books on the history of Ethereum have recently been published. Both come from top journalists in the crypto scene and, based on hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews, provide the first insights into the chaotic early years of the platform, including internal power struggles. The perfect beach read for Ethereum nerds – and anyone who wants to become one. We present both works.
1. “The Infinite Machine: How an Army of Crypto-hackers Is Building the Next Internet with Ethereum” by Camilla Russo
On 352 pages, former Bloomberg finance expert Camilla Russo unfolds the fascinating history of Ethereum for the first time in “The Infinite Machine” 2020. The founder of The Defiant, one of the top podcasts in the industry, is in the deep. And knows how to convey it clearly, all technical terms are explained, only very rarely does Russo get lost in nerdy details towards the end.
Otherwise, “The Infinite Machine” is the perfect gateway drug into the history of the fascinating Web3 miracle machine. The Argentinian journalist tells of the birth drama of Ethereum in a beautiful and clever way, enriched with many spicy details from over 100 insider interviews. Hollywood is currently filming the book. And everyone is wondering: who will play Vitalik Buterin?
2. “Cryptopians. Idealism, Greed, Lies, and the Making of the First Big Cryptocurrency Craze” by Laura Shin
Laura Shin’s book wasn’t published until February, but it’s been talked about everywhere in the scene. Also because of an ingenious coup: In “Cryptopians”, the former editor-in-chief of Forbes reveals one of the biggest secrets in crypto history, the identity of the so-called DAO hacker. He nearly brought Ethereum down in 2015. We reported.
Shin also founded an influential crypto podcast, Unchained, in 2015. With “The Cryptopians” she now delivers the most important presentation of Ethereum’s history for many critics. It is meticulously researched, very sophisticated written, a small masterpiece for crypto connoisseurs. Shin takes a very critical look at the birth drama of the smart contract platform and ICO boom of 2017. She also shows the founding genius, Vitalik Buterin, from his human side like never before.
Disclaimer
This article appeared in June of this year. Before re-publishing, it was reviewed and adjusted accordingly.
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