Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, wants to simplify the Ethereum network. He believes this will make it more efficient, reliable, and secure.
Why Simplicity Matters
Buterin argues that simplicity is key to a strong blockchain. He points to Bitcoin as a prime example: “Even a smart high school student can understand the Bitcoin protocol,” he says. A simple protocol is cheaper to run, easier to maintain, and less vulnerable to bugs and attacks. It also helps build trust and neutrality.
Buterin’s Three-Part Plan
Buterin envisions a simpler Ethereum within five years. His plan involves three key areas:
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A Better Consensus Layer: This involves redesigning the system that confirms transactions, focusing on a “3-slot finality” approach for improved efficiency.
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A Simpler Execution Layer: Buterin wants to replace the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with a simpler alternative, like RISC-V. The challenge here is to keep the changes backward-compatible with existing apps.
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One Standard Across the Board: He suggests using a single standard for similar tasks within the protocol, avoiding unnecessary complexity from using different methods in different parts of the system.
The Importance of Simplicity and Decentralization
Buterin concludes that simplicity and decentralization are crucial for building resilient blockchains. They go hand-in-hand in creating a robust and trustworthy system.
Ethereum’s Price: A Side Note
While Buterin focuses on technical improvements, investors are naturally watching how these changes will affect the price of Ether (ETH). ETH’s performance in 2025 has been somewhat disappointing so far, but it has seen a recent price increase of about 15% over the past two weeks. At the time of writing, ETH is trading around $1,817.