Vitalik Buterin Proposes Simplifying Ethereum to Match Bitcoin’s Design

Vitalik Buterin proposes to simplify Ethereum’s protocol in five years by enhancing efficiency, security, and accessibility, inspired by Bitcoin’s minimalism. His plans include refining the consensus layer with a proposed ‘3-slot finality’, shifting the execution layer to a ZK-friendly architecture, and adopting standardized methods throughout the protocol. This push for simplicity comes as Ethereum faces diminishing market share against rival blockchains.

In a bold move for the Ethereum community, co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a plan to simplify the Ethereum protocol significantly. This initiative aims to make the network not only more efficient and secure but also more accessible, taking a page from Bitcoin’s minimalist approach. In a blog post released on May 3, titled “Simplifying the L1,” Buterin mapped out how he envisions Ethereum evolving over the next five years—essentially striving for a design that’s as straightforward as Bitcoin’s.

Buterin argues that simplicity is crucial for the network’s resilience and its long-term scalability. Despite the recent upgrades such as proof-of-stake (PoS) and the integration of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK), he noted that the growing technical complexity has inflated development times, resulting in higher costs and greater chances for bugs. As he put it, “Historically, Ethereum has often not done this… and this has contributed to much of our excessive development expenditure.”

A significant part of Buterin’s vision centers on refining Ethereum’s consensus layer. He’s advocating for a “3-slot finality” model that strips away convoluted components such as epochs, sync committees, and the validator shuffling that complicates the current system. This reduction creates a safer environment where simpler implementations of the fork choice rule can be utilized more effectively, according to Buterin.

On the execution layer, a major shift could occur if Ethereum transitions from its traditional Virtual Machine (EVM) to a ZK-friendly architecture like RISC-V. This change is expected to massively enhance performance—up to 100 times for zero-knowledge proofs—by reducing protocol complexity thanks to the architecture’s minimalist design that relies on a limited set of efficient instructions.

Moreover, to maintain backward compatibility, Buterin suggests employing a RISC-V interpreter for existing EVM contracts while allowing both systems to operate simultaneously during the transition period. While legacy features deemed non-critical will remain intact, they might exist outside the core specifications for better efficiency.

Buterin didn’t stop there; he’s also calling for standardization across the entire protocol. He proposes the usage of a consistent erasure coding method, serialization format (with a preference for SSZ), and a universal tree structure to eliminate unnecessary complexity in Ethereum’s tooling and infrastructure. In his words, “Simplicity is in many ways similar to decentralization,” highlighting that a more efficient Ethereum could serve the community better.

Additionally, as Ethereum grapples with a diminishing share of the blockchain market—especially facing challenges from other rival networks—Buterin’s vision seems more pressing than ever. During a recent panel at the LONGITUDE by Cointelegraph event, Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik noted that Ethereum’s position as a dominant player in the L1 blockchain arena isn’t as secure as it once seemed. “If you’d asked me 3–4 years ago whether Ethereum would dominate crypto, I’d have said yes,” he remarked, reflecting the shifting tides in the industry.

Buterin’s ideas on simplifying Ethereum could be the change needed to re-establish its leading role in the blockchain landscape, but only time will tell if these visions can be realized effectively.

Vitalik Buterin’s call to simplify Ethereum over the next five years marks a significant shift aiming to reduce complexity and enhance efficiency. His proposal includes changes to the consensus and execution layers along with a call for a uniform standard, all designed to ensure Ethereum remains competitive. As the crypto landscape evolves, simplicity might just be the key to Ethereum’s resurgence amid increasing competition in the blockchain space.

Original Source: cointelegraph.com