New architecture and protocol-wide standards to simplify, accelerate, and improve the maintainability of Ethereum were proposed by Vitalik Buterin.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called to simplify Ethereum’s base protocol to enhance the network’s efficiency, security, and accessibility, drawing inspiration from Bitcoin’s minimalist design.
In a blog post titled “Simplifying the L1,” published on May 3, Buterin outlined his vision for restructuring Ethereum’s architecture across consensus, execution, and shared components.
Buterin wrote that the post would explain how Ethereum could become nearly as simple as Bitcoin within five years. He emphasized that simplicity is essential for Ethereum’s resilience and long-term scalability.
Recent upgrades, such as proof-of-stake (PoS) and the integration of Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK), have enhanced Ethereum’s robustness. However, he stated that growing technical complexity has led to longer development cycles, increased costs, and higher risks of bugs.
Historically, Ethereum has often not done this (sometimes because of my own decisions), and this has contributed to much of our excessive development expenditure, all kinds of security risk, and insularity of R&D culture, often in pursuit of benefits that have proven illusory.
Ethereum Targets ‘3-Slot Finality’ to Streamline Consensus Process
A key area of focus has been placed on Ethereum’s consensus layer. Central to this initiative is the proposed “3-slot finality” model, which removes complex elements such as epochs, sync committees, and validator shuffling.
Buterin wrote that fewer active validators at any given time make it safer to use simpler implementations of the fork choice rule.
Other suggested improvements involve the adoption of more straightforward fork choice rules and the use of Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (STARK)-based aggregation protocols, aimed at decentralizing and simplifying network coordination.
Buterin proposed shifting the execution layer from the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a simpler, ZK-friendly virtual machine such as RISC-V. This change could result in a 100x performance enhancement for zero-knowledge proofs and greatly simplify the protocol.
RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA), powers the design of computer processors. It follows a minimalist design philosophy, using a small set of simple instructions to achieve high efficiency and enable easier implementation.
Buterin suggested running legacy EVM contracts on-chain through a RISC-V interpreter to maintain backward compatibility, with support for both virtual machines continuing concurrently during a transitional phase.
Buterin Advocates for Protocol-Wide Standards
He recommended using a single erasure coding method, a simple data format (preferably SSZ), and a common tree structure to reduce extra complexity and make Ethereum’s tools and systems easier to manage.
Buterin wrote that simplicity is a lot like decentralization. He suggested that Ethereum set a limit on the number of lines of code—like Tinygrad does—to keep the important parts of the system small and easy to review.
Ethereum would retain non-critical legacy features but place them outside the core specification.
Buterin proposed simplifying Ethereum as the network continues to lose market share to competing blockchains.
During a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by event on May 2, Alex Svanevik, CEO of data service Nansen, stated that Ethereum’s relative dominance among L1 blockchain networks has decreased.
During a panel discussion at the LONGITUDE by event, Svanevik stated, “If someone had asked me 3–4 years ago whether Ethereum would dominate crypto, I would have said yes.” But now, it’s clear that this is not the case.”
