Vitalik Buterin Announces Major Plan to Simplify Ethereum’s Technical Structure
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a major plan to simplify the network’s technical design. The goal is to make Ethereum more understandable, faster, and user-friendly — much like Bitcoin. The plan was announced on May 3, 2025, in a blog post titled “Simplifying the L1.” The objective is to transform Ethereum into a much more accessible system for developers and users over the next five years.
Why Should Ethereum Be Simplified?
Over time, the Ethereum network has grown and become more complex with the addition of numerous new features. The transition to Proof-of-Stake, ZK technologies, and new applications have made Ethereum more powerful, but also more difficult to use and develop on. According to Vitalik Buterin, this complexity has now become a barrier to further progress.
That’s why Buterin proposes simplifying Ethereum, drawing inspiration from Bitcoin’s minimalistic structure. In his view, a simpler system is more secure, more robust, and more sustainable in the long run.
Key Points of the Plan
- Simplified Consensus Mechanism: Ethereum’s decision-making system will be made less complex. In the proposed new model, mechanisms like “3-slot finality” will make the transaction confirmation process faster and easier to understand.
- New Virtual Machine: RISC-V: Instead of the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), the network could adopt the open-source RISC-V architecture, which is simpler and faster. This would boost performance and make the system more accessible for developers.
- Standardization and Code Minimization: The plan aims to use a common language, standardized data structures, and as little code as possible within the Ethereum protocol. This would enhance the network’s security and make it easier for newcomers to join the ecosystem.
When and How Will It Be Implemented?
This plan will unfold over a five-year period — meaning changes won’t happen overnight. Backward compatibility will also be maintained, so applications built on the current system won’t be negatively affected. However, successful execution will require collaboration from the entire Ethereum community.
Vitalik Buterin’s simplification plan marks a significant step for Ethereum’s future. The aim is to transform Ethereum into a platform that is easier to use, more secure, and less prone to errors. While implementing these changes will take time, if successful, Ethereum could gain a much stronger infrastructure.
This simplification effort could create a more accessible and understandable ecosystem not only for developers but for anyone who wants to use Ethereum.
