Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has argued that the network must reach a stage where it can endure for decades even without ongoing active development. He described this requirement as a “walkaway test,” meaning Ethereum’s core value should remain intact even if its original builders step away.
According to Buterin Ethereum should function like a durable tool rather than a service dependent on constant upgrades. The goal is for the protocol’s existing features to be sufficient on their own, ensuring long-term reliability, neutrality, and trust. He stressed that Ethereum should eventually be considered cryptographically safe for 100 years, setting a high bar for protocol maturity.
Said Buterin in a post to X on Monday;
Buterin outlined several areas that must be addressed to meet this standard. These include full quantum resistance to protect against future cryptographic threats and a highly scalable architecture capable of handling thousands of transactions per second. Technologies such as ZK-EVMs and Peer Data Availability Sampling are seen as central to this effort.
He also emphasized the need for a block-building model that resists centralization and censorship, a secure and predictable gas system, and a flexible account model for signature validation.
Buterin added that Ethereum also needs stronger decentralized stablecoins backed by diversified assets, reducing dependence on any single national currency. Together, these changes aim to maximize Ethereum’s technical and social resilience over the long term.
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