Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that the network has sacrificed too many of its core principles in pursuit of mainstream adoption, calling for an immediate shift back toward decentralization, privacy, and self-sovereignty. In a recent statement, Buterin said 2026 must mark a turning point, ending years of compromises that diluted Ethereum’s original vision.
Focus on Privacy, Self-Sovereignty, and Trustlessness
Buterin emphasized the need for private onchain payments, simpler full-node operation, and decentralized applications that do not depend on centralized servers. He argued that many users have lost control over their data as dApps increasingly rely on offchain infrastructure. According to Buterin, this trend undermines Ethereum’s promise of trustless computing.
Buterin posted to X on Friday;
He also highlighted the importance of improved social recovery wallets, allowing users to regain access to funds securely if private keys are lost or compromised. Restoring user autonomy, he said, is essential to Ethereum’s long-term credibility.
Buterin noted that over the past decade, running Ethereum nodes has become harder, while applications have grown more complex and data-intensive. This shift, he argued, has weakened decentralization and increased reliance on intermediaries.
Planned upgrades such as Kohaku and the Glamsterdam fork are expected to address some of these challenges. Buterin added that Ethereum must also become self-sustaining for decades, capable of remaining secure without ongoing developer intervention.
Finally, Buterin called for innovation in decentralized stablecoins, suggesting designs backed by diversified assets and currencies to reduce dependence on any single government or financial system.
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