Vitalik Buterin proposes a sustainable future for Ethereum, outlining key technical requirements to ensure long-term independence from developers.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed a vision for the blockchain's future that focuses on achieving long-term sustainability without continuous developer oversight.
Ethereum must pass the walkaway test. It should serve as a platform for trustless applications across various sectors, functioning more like tools that users own rather than dependent services.
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 12, 2026
Buterin emphasizes the importance of ensuring that applications on Ethereum do not rely on developers who may lose interest. To achieve this, he suggests that Ethereum must pass the "walkaway test," where it can operate independently of ongoing changes.
"This means Ethereum should be able to reach a state where we can 'freeze' it if necessary. While ongoing improvements are important, the blockchain's value shouldn't depend on features that are still in development," Buterin stated.
To realize this vision, Buterin outlined seven essential requirements:
- Achieve complete quantum resistance for the blockchain;
- Develop a scalable architecture using zkEVM validation and data sampling through PeerDAS;
- Create a network state capable of managing "thousands of TPS for decades" without synchronization issues;
- Implement full account abstraction, moving away from traditional ECDSA;
- Establish a gas model resistant to denial-of-service attacks in both standard and ZK-proof forms;
- Build a mature, decentralized staking economy over time;
- Ensure a block construction mechanism that resists centralization.
"Over the next few years, we should focus on significant advancements so that most innovations occur through client-side optimization and are reflected in protocol parameter changes," Buterin added.
This approach would reduce the frequency of hard forks, with upgrades needing only validator approval, such as for adjusting gas limits. Buterin aims to implement at least one of these tasks annually, advocating for a long-term strategy over short-term fixes to enhance Ethereum's technological and social sustainability.
Earlier this year, Buterin noted that the protocol is addressing the blockchain trilemma effectively through the development of zkEVM and the launch of PeerDAS, key components of the Fusaka hard fork introduced in December.
