Could Ethereum Become the Next Apple? Insights from Steve Wozniak
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak shares his belief that Ethereum has the potential to be as transformative as Apple itself.
Ethereum has garnered significant attention from a leading figure in the tech industry.
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc. (AAPL) and a respected technology visionary, emphasized Ethereum’s unique platform capabilities, stating, “Ethereum captivates me because of what it can achieve and its platform nature.”
Speaking at the WeAreDevelopers conference held in Vienna, Austria, which wrapped up on May 20, Wozniak compared Ethereum to his former company Apple, suggesting that in the long run, Ethereum might reach a level of influence comparable to Apple’s impact, as reported by Forbes.
In his opening remarks, he described blockchain technology as “the upcoming major IT revolution,” forecasting that blockchain and cryptocurrencies will realize their full potential within the next decade.
Earlier this year in February, Wozniak disclosed losing seven bitcoins due to a credit card scam. (For further details, see Steve Wozniak: Bitcoin Scammer Stole My Cryptocurrency.)
Wozniak’s Cryptocurrency Journey
Wozniak has long admired bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency. “To me, bitcoin represents a currency free from government manipulation,” he remarked in previous statements. “It’s mathematical, pure, and immutable.”
He initially purchased bitcoins at approximately $700 each to explore their practical uses. “My goal was to travel without relying on credit cards, wallets, or cash—doing everything with bitcoin,” he explained. “I researched hotels and venues that accepted bitcoin, though it remains challenging. I also experimented with online purchases and bitcoin trading.”
However, due to bitcoin’s extreme price volatility—rising to nearly $19,800 in December last year before dropping to $6,600 in the following months—Wozniak sold most of his holdings earlier this year, retaining only one bitcoin and two Ether tokens.
Wozniak continues to be active in the tech sphere, recently founding Woz University (Woz U) in Arizona. This initiative includes 31 learning and coding centers open to all, with scholarships available for qualifying students.
He also shared his decision to leave Facebook, attributing it to “cultural reasons” rather than the recent data privacy scandals like Cambridge Analytica. (See also, Apple Co-Founder Wozniak: 'I Do Not Invest'.)
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