Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has launched a thought-provoking proposal aimed at enhancing Ethereum’s scalability while safeguarding its core principles of trustlessness and censorship resistance. On May 19, 2025, Buterin detailed his vision for “partially stateless nodes” designed to support users in running their own personal nodes more efficiently—a potential game-changer for the Ethereum network.
The Case for Partially Stateless Nodes
In Buterin’s latest missive, he underscores the peril of a centralized RPC (Remote Procedure Call) market, where a small number of providers dominate the landscape. This setup, he argues, poses significant risks, including censorship and geographic exclusion. “A market structure dominated by a few RPC providers is one that will face strong pressure to deplatform or censor users,” Buterin noted, adding that several providers already restrict access to entire countries. This concern echoes his broader vision for Ethereum’s future, as discussed in Vitalik Buterin’s vision for Ethereum: Pectra, Glamsterdam and beyond.
To combat these challenges, Buterin proposes partially stateless nodes. These nodes are engineered to require less storage and bandwidth than traditional full nodes, a critical advantage as Ethereum’s gas limit continues to rise. By storing only a subset of the Ethereum state pertinent to the user’s needs, these nodes promise to democratize node operation, making it feasible for more individuals to participate in the network’s maintenance and decision-making processes.
A New Era of Node Operation?
The innovation here is in the node’s ability to validate blocks “statelessly.” In layman’s terms? They don’t need to store the full Merkle proofs or complete blockchain history. Instead, they can maintain the parts of the blockchain state that are of immediate relevance to the user—like data for their specific accounts, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, or frequently used tokens such as stablecoins and Ether (ETH). This approach aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance DeFi security, as explored in Restaking can make DeFi more secure for institutional traders.
This streamlined approach not only addresses resource demands but also bolsters users’ privacy and autonomy. Should a user require information beyond their stored subset, the query would either fail or revert to an RPC solution. It’s a delicate balancing act between full decentralization and practical usability.
Implications for the Ethereum Ecosystem
The introduction of partially stateless nodes could mark a pivotal shift in how Ethereum’s infrastructure is managed. By lowering the barriers to entry for running a node, Buterin’s proposal could decentralize node operations, reducing reliance on centralized RPC services. This, in turn, may fortify the network against potential censorship and promote a more egalitarian ecosystem.
However, as with any transformative proposal, there are hurdles to consider. Implementing such a system would require rigorous testing and potentially significant adjustments to existing protocols. Skeptics might question the feasibility of widespread adoption or the potential impact on Ethereum’s security and speed.
Looking Ahead
As the crypto community digests Buterin’s proposal, the path forward is laden with both promise and uncertainty. If partially stateless nodes gain traction, they could democratize Ethereum node operations and enhance the network’s resilience. But questions remain: can this model sustain the network’s security? Will it encourage more users to run their nodes, or will technical complexities deter them?
As Ethereum continues to evolve, the conversation around scalability and decentralization remains as vibrant as ever. Buterin’s latest proposal adds a compelling layer to the debate, one that could redefine the network’s trajectory in the years to come. Whether partially stateless nodes become a cornerstone of Ethereum’s future or simply a stepping stone to further innovation, one thing is clear—Ethereum’s journey is far from over.
Source
This article is based on: Vitalik Buterin proposes partially stateless nodes for Ethereum scaling
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
