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Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum can now scale while preserving decentralization and security. In a recent post on X, the Ethereum co-founder shared a set of upgrades that makes this combination achievable in practice. He framed the outcome as a resolution to the blockchain trilemma based on live network changes and a clear execution roadmap.
The trilemma describes tensions between decentralization, security, and scalability. Buterin argued that Ethereum can raise capacity without narrowing participation, tying the claim to Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS) and zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zkEVMs).
He further noted how PeerDAS already runs on mainnet, while zkEVMs remains early from a security perspective. His statements signaled positive expectations for limited zkEVM use to start in 2026.
PeerDAS has changed how nodes check required data stays available. It can verify availability through sampling instead of full downloads, reducing bandwidth demands on validators and node operators. It can also help more users run nodes as data loads rise.
Developers introduced PeerDAS in the Fusaka upgrade in December. The feature now operates in production, strengthening the case for near-term Ethereum scalability. PeerDAS also supports expanding data capacity for rollups. Those systems often post large data batches back to Ethereum.
zkEVMs let the network validate executions using zero-knowledge proofs compatible with the Ethereum virtual machine. Validators can check a proof rather than re-run each transaction, which reduces verification work while keeping integrity checks on-chain.
Buterin described zkEVMs as performance-ready but not yet security-complete. He noted how teams need further testing and hardening. Proof systems require careful audits and bug fixes; Buterin expects small-scale adoption in 2026, with broader uses following as confidence grows.
Buterin emphasized Ethereum’s increased capacity in 2026 without relying on zkEVMs. He cited tools such as block access lists and enhanced proposer-builder separation. These changes aim to make higher gas limits safer and more predictable under load. They also work on reducing incentives for harmful block construction.
Between 2026 and 2028, Buterin expects adjustments to gas pricing and state handling. He also hinted at higher execution payload data to move into blobs. The goal is to support higher throughput without destabilizing node requirements. Developers plan these steps to protect decentralization as activity grows.
For the 2027 through 2030 window, Buterin mapped out larger gas limit increases as zkEVM validation matures. He linked the roadmap to research that started in 2017 on data availability. The network now sits closer to a high-capacity settlement layer; it can continue an open participation while scaling.
