Buterin Proposes Simplifying Ethereum to Become "Like Bitcoin in 5 Years"

# Vitalik Buterin Proposes Simplifying Ethereum Protocol for Enhanced Efficiency and Security Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a proposal aimed at streamlining the blockchain's core protocol for improved efficiency, security, and accessibility, as reported by CoinTelegraph on November 3. Inspired by the minimalist design of Bitcoin (BTC), Buterin stated that his proposed changes would make Ethereum more robust and easier to maintain. In a blog post titled "L1 Simplification," he outlined a plan to restructure Ethereum's architecture, focusing on consensus, execution, and sharding. “Ethereum five years from now could achieve simplicity comparable to Bitcoin,” Buterin said, emphasizing that simplification is crucial for Ethereum’s long-term scalability and resilience. Despite recent upgrades like the adoption of Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and the integration of ZK-SNARK technology, Buterin acknowledged Ethereum’s growing complexity, which has led to longer development cycles, higher costs, and increased risks of bugs. Reflecting on past decisions, he admitted, "Sometimes, Ethereum's complexity arose from decisions I made, leading to high development expenses, security risks, and a more rigid R&D culture." # Simplifying Ethereum’s Consensus Layer with a "Three-Slot Finality" Model To streamline Ethereum's consensus layer, Buterin suggested adopting a "three-slot finality" model, which involves removing complex components such as epochs, sync committees, and validator shuffling. “Reducing the number of active validators would allow for simpler fork-choice rules, enhancing overall network security,” he said. Buterin also proposed incorporating simplified fork-choice rules and a STARK-based unified protocol, which could simplify network coordination and promote greater decentralization. For the execution layer, he recommended transitioning from the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a RISC-V-based virtual machine designed to be ZK-friendly. This change could significantly boost zero-knowledge proof performance by a factor of 100 while simplifying the protocol. The RISC-V architecture, following an open-source minimalist design, aligns with Buterin’s goals. During the transition, he suggested supporting both EVM and RISC-V via an interpreter to maintain compatibility with existing Ethereum smart contracts. # Standardization Across the Protocol Buterin also highlighted the need for standardization across Ethereum’s protocol. Proposals include adopting a single erasure coding method, an SSZ-based serialization format, and a unified tree structure to reduce complexity and streamline Ethereum’s tooling and infrastructure. “Simplification parallels decentralization,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining concise and reviewable logic for consensus-critical operations. Buterin’s proposal for simplifying Ethereum comes as the network faces increasing competition from other blockchains. At the CoinTelegraph Longitude event on May 2, Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik remarked, “Three or four years ago, it seemed like Ethereum would dominate the cryptocurrency space, but that’s no longer the case today.” As Ethereum continues to expand its capabilities, Buterin’s focus on simplification could be crucial for maintaining its role as a cornerstone of the blockchain ecosystem.