Vitalik Buterin Urges Ethereum To Stop Trading Values For Adoption

TLDR

Table of Contents

Buterin says Ethereum must stop sacrificing decentralization for adoption
Ethereum Dapps now rely on centralized servers and leak user data
Running Ethereum nodes has become harder over the past decade
Upgrades like Kohaku and Glamsterdam aim to fix ecosystem issues

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has raised concerns over the network’s shift away from its original principles. He warned that the pursuit of mainstream adoption has compromised Ethereum’s core values, including decentralization, privacy, and self-sovereignty. Buterin declared 2026 as a turning point to reclaim those lost values and restore trust in the ecosystem.

Network’s Core Values Under Pressure

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has voiced concerns about the project’s direction over the past decade. He stated that the ecosystem has gradually moved away from its foundational goals of decentralization, privacy, and user self-sovereignty.

“But every moment where you might have been thinking, is it really worth diluting ourselves so much in the name of mainstream adoption—we are making that compromise no longer,” Buterin wrote on X. He urged the Ethereum community to make 2026 the year to reclaim these core values.

Buterin observed that over time, decentralized apps (Dapps) have become complex systems that depend on centralized servers. They also collect and share large amounts of user data. Ethereum nodes, which were once easy to run, are now difficult for average users to operate.

Focus on Privacy and Easier Node Use

To correct these issues, Buterin called for better private payment systems and easier ways for users to operate full nodes. He believes running a node should not be limited to technical users with powerful hardware.

Ethereum’s current state has made it hard for users to interact with the blockchain without relying on centralized infrastructure. According to Buterin, this reduces trust in the ecosystem and limits true decentralization.

He also highlighted the need for users to control their on-chain data. Improved privacy features and social recovery wallets are also on the list of upgrades needed to strengthen the network.

Upcoming Upgrades May Help

Two Ethereum upgrades, Kohaku and Glamsterdam, are expected to address several of these problems. These updates are designed to reduce centralization risks and improve data control.

Buterin believes these upgrades are a step toward making Ethereum more secure and user-friendly. He added, “It will be a long road […] But it will make Ethereum into an ecosystem that deserves not only its current place in the universe, but a much greater one.”

Self-Sustainability and Future Challenges

Buterin also emphasized that Ethereum must pass what he called the “walkaway test.” This means the protocol should be able to run securely for decades without relying heavily on its current developer base.

He said Ethereum must be cryptographically safe for at least 100 years and must resist outside control. For this, he proposed stronger quantum resistance, scalable architecture, and a better block-building model to avoid centralization.

In addition, he called for the development of decentralized stablecoins backed by diversified assets. Such coins would reduce reliance on any one national currency and make Ethereum more independent from traditional finance systems.