Photography by Meike Kenn.
FABIAN VOGELSTELLER is regarded as one of the pioneers of the blockchain development. Based in Berlin, the IT developer was an early member of the team behind Ethereum and, in 2015, introduced the ERC-20 standard – a technical specification that went on to form the foundation for most of today’s cryptocurrencies. Though rarely in the media spotlight, Vogelsteller has played a decisive role in shaping a crucial chapter in the still-young history of crypto, marked more by technical precision than public attention.
With his latest venture, LUKSO, Vogelsteller has set his sights on another goal: building a blockchain infrastructure designed specifically for culture. The project focuses on social, culture and creators – fields where authorship, visibility, and branding are central. At its core lies the concept of Universal Profiles: self-owned digital identities that enable anyone to independently manage their content, interactions and reputation, free from reliance on major platforms.
For Vogelsteller, this architecture serves as a direct counterweight to the platform-driven economy that dominates the internet. Beyond providing technical infrastructure, LUKSO aspires to foster a new culture of digital autonomy. It is an ambitious undertaking – one that seeks to re-define digital sovereignty for a new generation of creatives.