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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called on developers to prioritize usable and truly decentralized applications as the network advances toward becoming a global “world computer.” In a New Year message on X, he framed Ethereum as a response to the growing centralization of technology.
Buterin has warned that many everyday services now rely on subscriptions and centralized control. He predicts that applications built on Ethereum should counter this trend by supporting a free and open internet. He described decentralization as a practical requirement rather than an abstract ideal.
He further added that Ethereum applications must operate without fraud, censorship, or third-party control. They must also pass the “walkaway test,” meaning they continue running even if the original developers exit the project. Can Ethereum applications truly remain independent of every centralized failure point?
Buterin said decentralized applications must function without relying on centralized services. He explained that apps should continue to work during corporate failures, political shifts, or service shutdowns. According to him, users should not notice such disruptions.
He cited Cloudflare as an example of a centralized web service. If such a provider fails or is attacked, Ethereum-based applications should continue operating. This standard applies across financial tools, identity systems, and governance platforms.
He added that decentralization must exist at both the blockchain and application layers. This includes the software used to interact with Ethereum and the apps built on top of it.
Buterin pointed to several technical improvements achieved over the past year. Ethereum increased gas limits, expanded data blob capacity, and advanced zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines. These changes support better scaling without reducing decentralization.
He also noted progress in PeerDAS, a data availability system designed to work with zkEVMs. PeerDAS supports higher data throughput while keeping node requirements manageable. This supports Ethereum’s long-term scalability plans.
Node software quality also improved. As a result, more individuals can run their own nodes. This reduces reliance on centralized infrastructure providers and supports a distributed network model.
Ethereum completed two major network upgrades in 2025. The Pectra upgrade in May increased blob throughput, improved wallet usability through account abstraction, and raised validator staking limits.
Later in December, the Fusaka upgrade activated PeerDAS. This change streamlined data availability and sampling and supported higher blob counts without increasing node strain. Together, these upgrades reduced costs and advanced Ethereum’s rollup-focused roadmap.
Buterin’s remarks arrived as crypto markets entered a more mature phase. Regulatory oversight increased, institutions demanded more transparent governance, and users became more cautious after repeated market cycles. Ethereum leadership views trustless applications as a structural advantage in this environment.
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Vitalik Buterin has urged Ethereum developers to prioritize usable and fully decentralized applications. He outlined technical progress through gas limit increases, zkEVM maturity, and major upgrades like Pectra and Fusaka. The message signals a push to align scalability with decentralization as Ethereum evolves toward global infrastructure.
