5 Buterin’s Take: Why Ethereum (ETH) Should Be “Usable” & Decentralized by 2026

Jakarta, Pintu News – Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum (ETH), asserts that the blockchain network must maintain usability and decentralization simultaneously to remain relevant in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

This statement came through his social media posts quoted by international crypto media, showing Ethereum’s focus returning to its early foundations. The following article summarizes five key points of Buterin’s view on the future of Ethereum based on his latest statement.

1. Main Focus: Usability and Decentralization

Vitalik Buterin stated that Ethereum should be widely usable while remaining decentralized without losing its core properties. This statement emphasizes the importance of usability in the development of the Ethereum network to make it more accessible to users in various application scenarios. This information is based on a U.Today report that quoted Buterin’s official statement on his social media.

Buterin cautioned that the network should not only focus on technical achievements but should also be able to provide a real user experience free from centralized control. This approach aims to ensure Ethereum remains robust against censorship and domination by certain parties at both the protocol and application layers. The report suggests that usability and decentralization must go hand in hand for a more stable crypto ecosystem.

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2. The “Walkaway Test” as a Decentralization Standard

In his statement, Buterin introduced the concept of the “walkaway test” which is a true decentralization benchmark for applications on the Ethereum network. According to him, applications should continue to operate even if their developers are no longer present, signaling the independence of the system. This concept came about in response to the threat of centralization in many modern digital services.

Furthermore, Buterin contrasted the decentralized model with traditional subscription services that rely on central infrastructure. He emphasized that decentralization should go beyond mere technological jargon and become a real fundamental principle in the practice of the Ethereum network. U.Today reports that this idea is designed to protect the network from dependence on third-party services.

3. Rejecting “Next Meta” to Maintain Focus

Buterin also warned the Ethereum community not to get caught up in “meta-trends” or momentary trends, be it certain tokenizations or other market phenomena. He believes that pursuing trends such as tokenized assets or meme coins should not detract from the focus on Ethereum’s primary mission as a decentralized infrastructure. This statement was reported by U.Today as part of his long-term vision message.

This reflects the concern that Ethereum’s development goals will be sidetracked if it is overly influenced by fast-changing market hype. The focus on usability and decentralization is expected to strengthen the network’s resilience to short-term trend fluctuations. U.Today highlights that Buterin wants the community to return to its original goals before any form of market speculation takes over.

4. Emphasis on Two Layers: Blockchain & Applications

Buterin asserted that increased usability and decentralization must occur at two important layers of the network: blockchain layer and application layer. At the blockchain layer, this includes the network’s ability to handle large-scale and complex transactions without compromising decentralization. This statement is part of an effort to make Ethereum more effective and resilient to external disruptions in the future.

On the application layer side, decentralization means decentralized applications (dApps) that can run independently without domination by a centralized party. This implementation is considered important so that the crypto ecosystem remains oriented towards real use, not just speculative interactions. The U.Today report notes that Buterin sees the combination of these two layers as the key to going beyond the current traditional networks.

5. Relevance of Ethereum’s Early Mission to the Crypto Future

Buterin emphasized that Ethereum’s original goal was to build a decentralized “world computer” that could support a free and open internet. He believes that after significant performance improvements in 2025 through various technologies such as zkEVM, the community should not be complacent. This statement shows that technical development alone is not enough without focusing on the principles of decentralization and usability.

This vision remains relevant in the context of the broader crypto ecosystem, where decentralization is often faced with regulatory pressures and the dominance of large entities. Buterin said that this thinking is important to keep Ethereum relevant in the long term as an integral part of the future of the internet and digital finance.

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Reference:

• Alex Dovbnya/U.Today. Buterin Says Ethereum Has to Be Usable and Decentralized. Accessed January 2, 2026.