In March 2024, it was revealed that AI doomerism is backed by over a BILLION DOLLARS, with significant contributions from cryptocurrency fortunes. The Future of Life Institute (FLI) became a $665.8 million organization in May 2021, largely due to a notable donation from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. This funding, often referred to as a "crypto war chest," has been used to support existing "AI Existential Risk" organizations and establish new ones, sparking the #Shibagate controversy. Critics have raised concerns about the influence of crypto wealth on the movement advocating for AI safety and regulations, comparing it to the effective altruism funding scandal and questioning the alignment with Buterin's manifesto against centralized power.