Ethereum's Future: Usability and Decentralization Are Key

Buterin Says Ethereum Has to Be Usable and Decentralized

In a recent social media update, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, emphasizes the need for the network to achieve true usability and decentralization. He introduces the "walkaway test" to ensure that Ethereum does not become merely a subscription service but maintains its foundational goal of serving as a decentralized platform for a free and open internet.

Key Takeaways

Ethereum must pass the "walkaway test" to avoid becoming another subscription service.
Focus on resisting censorship and centralization in the network's future.
Improvements are needed at both the blockchain and application layers.
The original goal of building a decentralized platform for open internet remains central to Ethereum's mission.
Buterin advocates for true decentralized applications (dApps) that function independently of their developers.

Usability, Decentralization, and the "Walkaway Test"

In his latest social media post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin emphasizes that the Ethereum network needs to pass what he calls the "walkaway test". This means it must not transform into just another subscription service. Buterin highlights that the network needs to resist both censorship and centralization, particularly following a successful year in terms of scaling.

He underlines the importance of making Ethereum not only usable at scale but also maintaining its decentralized nature. For this to happen, enhancements are required at both the "blockchain layer" and the "application layer".

In 2025, Ethereum experienced substantial improvements, including a rise in blob counts and advancements in zkEVMs. However, Buterin cautions against complacency. He urges developers to move past the "quest of 'winning the next meta'," whether that involves tokenized dollars or political memecoins. Additionally, he advises against simply convincing people to fill up blockspace to make Ethereum “ultrasound” again.

Staying True to Ethereum's Ambitious Goals

Despite the breakthroughs, Buterin reaffirms that Ethereum's original mission—to create a world computer for a freer and open internet—remains unchanged. Central to this vision is a strict definition of what qualifies as a truly decentralized application (dApp).

At just 31 years old, Buterin proposes the "walkaway test" to differentiate genuine crypto infrastructure from traditional Web2 services. He argues that true dApps should continue functioning even if their original developers are no longer involved. This contrasts with today's internet, where users often rely on "subscription services" that keep them permanently dependent on centralized providers.

He insists that decentralized applications must be so resilient that users shouldn't even notice if critical services, like Cloudflare, go down or if they face a significant security breach.

In summary, Vitalik Buterin’s thoughts emphasize that the future of Ethereum hinges on its ability to remain decentralized and usable, underscoring the necessity for a shift away from dependency on centralized services as the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve.