Ethereum, the powerhouse blockchain platform, is on the verge of a transformative journey. Its co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, recently unveiled an ambitious roadmap to simplify Ethereum’s architecture, drawing inspiration from Bitcoin’s streamlined design. In a blog post titled “Simplifying the L1,” published on May 3, Buterin envisions a future where Ethereum’s complexity is pared down to enhance efficiency, security, and accessibility.
A New Direction for Ethereum
Vitalik Buterin’s vision is straightforward yet revolutionary: simplify Ethereum’s base protocol to mirror the minimalism that has kept Bitcoin robust. Despite recent technological advancements like the shift to proof-of-stake (PoS) and the integration of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK), Ethereum’s burgeoning complexity has led to bloated development cycles and increased security risks. “Historically, Ethereum has often not done this,” Buterin admitted, acknowledging his role in past decisions that have led to excessive development expenditures and a tangled web of security risks.
The plan, as Buterin outlines, is to restructure Ethereum across its consensus, execution, and shared components. One of the pivotal changes is the proposed “3-slot finality” model to overhaul the consensus layer. This model aims to eliminate intricate elements such as epochs and sync committees, thereby simplifying validator operations. “The reduced number of active validators at a time means that it becomes safer to use simpler implementations of the fork choice rule,” Buterin explained.
Execution Layer Overhaul
Buterin’s blueprint also extends to the execution layer, where he proposes transitioning from the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a more streamlined, zero-knowledge (ZK)-friendly virtual machine, like RISC-V. This shift could potentially deliver a hundredfold boost in performance for zero-knowledge proofs, a critical component for Ethereum’s scalability. RISC-V’s minimalist instruction set architecture is set to offer high efficiency and ease of implementation. For a deeper dive into the regulatory implications, see our coverage of the SEC’s latest guidance.
To ensure a smooth transition, Buterin suggests running legacy EVM contracts on-chain using a RISC-V interpreter while maintaining support for both virtual machines concurrently. This dual approach underscores a commitment to backward compatibility, allowing existing applications to continue functioning seamlessly while new, more efficient systems are developed.
Protocol-Wide Standardization
Buterin advocates for standardization across the Ethereum protocol, suggesting a unified approach to erasure coding methods, serialization formats, and tree structures. By reducing redundancy, Ethereum’s tooling and infrastructure can be streamlined, making the network more agile and intuitive. “Simplicity is in many ways similar to decentralization,” Buterin observed, emphasizing the importance of keeping consensus-critical logic lean and auditable.
This push for simplicity arrives at a crucial juncture for Ethereum. The network has been losing market share to rival blockchains, prompting industry experts to question its long-term dominance. During a recent panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event, Alex Svanevik, CEO of data service Nansen, remarked on Ethereum’s waning preeminence. “If you’d asked me 3–4 years ago whether Ethereum would dominate crypto, I’d have said yes,” Svanevik noted. “But now, it’s clear that’s not what’s happening.” This sentiment echoes the broader industry shifts, as seen in our analysis of AI-powered innovations in crypto.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Buterin’s vision for a simplified Ethereum is not without its challenges. Implementing such sweeping changes will require significant collaboration and adaptation from developers and stakeholders across the ecosystem. Moreover, the balance between innovation and simplicity must be carefully managed to avoid compromising Ethereum’s functionality and versatility.
Yet, the potential benefits are substantial. By embracing a leaner design, Ethereum could enhance its resilience and scalability, potentially reclaiming its stature in the competitive blockchain landscape. As Buterin himself noted, adopting a “max line-of-code” target akin to what Tinygrad employs could keep Ethereum’s core logic concise and comprehensible.
As the community contemplates this simplified future, questions linger about the feasibility and timeline of these proposals. Will Ethereum’s stakeholders rally behind Buterin’s vision, or will the complexity of the current system prove too entrenched to overcome? As the blockchain world watches closely, the next few years promise to be transformative for Ethereum and its global community.
Source
This article is based on: Vitalik wants to make Ethereum ‘as simple as Bitcoin’ in 5 years
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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.
