Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a technical framework for the blockchain to operate safely even if all core developers disappeared.
In a post on X dated January 12, Buterin introduced the "walkaway test" as a benchmark for whether Ethereum can function independently without ongoing protocol updates.
The vision requires Ethereum to reach a state where the base layer can "ossify" while remaining useful and secure for decades.
What Happened
Buterin emphasized quantum resistance as the top priority, arguing the protocol should achieve cryptographic safety for 100 years.
He outlined seven technical milestones including full quantum resistance, scalability to thousands of transactions per second through ZK-EVM and PeerDAS, state management, account abstraction, and DOS-resistant gas pricing.
The network must maintain decentralized proof-of-stake economics and censorship-resistant block building.
Buterin compared the goal to owning a hammer - once acquired, it works independently of the manufacturer.
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Why It Matters
The framework represents a shift from continuous upgrades to fundamental protocol completion.
Buterin warned against delaying quantum-safe cryptography for short-term efficiency gains, noting protocols cannot afford last-minute security transitions.
PeerDAS data availability sampling already runs on mainnet, while ZK-EVMs reached alpha stage with production-quality performance.
Future changes should occur through parameter adjustments rather than protocol overhauls, similar to how validators currently vote on gas limits.
Buterin stressed that applications requiring trust-minimized infrastructure cannot function on a base layer dependent on vendor updates.
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