Ethereum combines the scalability of BitTorrent with the openness and reliability of Linux, according to co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
One metaphor for Ethereum is BitTorrent, and how that p2p network combines decentralization and mass scale. Ethereum's goal is to do the same thing but with consensus.
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 8, 2026
Another metaphor for Ethereum is Linux.
* Linux is free and open source software, and does not compromise on…
He stated that the network aims for global reach without sacrificing decentralization, similar to BitTorrent. The key difference is the built-in consensus mechanism necessary for financial and social interactions.
The comparison to Linux is based on ideology: like the operating system, Ethereum is founded on principles of free and open-source code.
Both systems exhibit a clear division of roles in their architecture. The first layer of the blockchain acts as a "pure core," ensuring sovereignty, while applications and L2 solutions provide convenience for the average user.
“Ethereum L1 should serve as a financial home for individuals and organizations seeking a higher level of autonomy, granting them access to the full power of the network without reliance on intermediaries. The example of Linux shows that this is fully compatible with providing value to a vast number of people and even being favored and trusted by enterprises worldwide,” Buterin concluded.
He believes that this dual nature is a strength, not a weakness. The principle of trustlessness that Ethereum strives for is interpreted in the business world as minimizing counterparty risk. This condition is crucial for attracting institutional players.
The Delay Dilemma
Buterin argues that the Ethereum network should focus on increasing throughput rather than reducing transaction confirmation times.
Increasing bandwidth is safer than reducing latency
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 8, 2026
With PeerDAS and ZKPs, we know how to scale, and potentially we can scale thousands of times compared to the status quo. The numbers become far more favorable than before (eg. see analysis here, pre and post-sharding…
He noted that the second task is technologically predetermined and safe thanks to PeerDAS and ZK proofs. These technologies could increase blockchain throughput by thousands of times without threatening decentralization. There are no insurmountable laws of physics here—only engineering challenges.
The second approach—reducing latency—faces insurmountable barriers. The key barrier is the speed of light, which limits signal transmission speeds between continents. Additionally, there are specific requirements for Ethereum's architecture:
- Geographic diversity of nodes. The network must be accessible to validators worldwide, including regions with weak connectivity, not just professional data centers.
- Censorship resistance and anonymity. Nodes must maintain anonymity and protection from external pressure, which rules out centralized infrastructure.
- Economics. Decentralization cannot rely solely on ideology—it must be economically viable. If server distance reduces profitability by even 10%, staking will inevitably concentrate in large hubs like New York, posing a threat to the network.
Buterin allowed for a moderate improvement in latency of three to six times (to 2-4 seconds per block) through optimization of P2P connections and validator committee architecture. However, he considers achieving sub-second speeds on a global scale impossible for a decentralized base layer.
In his view, this niche will be filled by L2 solutions and specialized blockchains. High speeds are especially important for interactions with artificial intelligence: for AI processing data faster than humans, even the speed of light is a significant limitation.
Such systems will require "urban" networks with nanosecond latency, achievable only within hyper-local L2s.
“Ultimately, Ethereum belongs to planet Earth, and its second-layer solutions will cater to both hyper-local needs in its cities and planetary-scale demands,” the programmer concluded.
Recall that in early January, Buterin stated that the second-largest cryptocurrency network is successfully overcoming the blockchain trilemma through the development of zkEVM and the launch of PeerDAS.