Buterin calls on the simplification of Ethereum to defend trustlessness because the complexity in the network provokes the fear of technical hegemony.
According to the co-founder of Ethereum, long-term decentralization and user trust require simplicity.
Vitalik Buterin expressed his opinions in recent social media posts, focusing on the fact that Ethereum should be comprehensible to a large number of players. He cautioned against too many technical layers that can destroy the very essence of trustlessness that the network was supposed to offer.
Simple as an element of trustlessness
Buterin claims it is not about eliminating intermediaries in transactions. In his opinion, it also presupposes an increase in the number of people who can fully comprehend the protocol of Ethereum.
Ethernet is not centralized in governance or consensus. Nevertheless, its growing design can compel them to even use a few experts. This, according to Buterin forms indirect trust in developers instead of transparent rules.
He said that only a protocol can remain credible when it can be audited and modified by new developers. Minimized systems minimise latent dependencies and minimise the chances of opaque decision making. This is also a solution that is in line with the long-term decentralization of Ethereum.
Lighter and stateless participation is being aimed at by the developers
The developers of Ethereum are experimenting with stateless clients and lightweight nodes designs. These tools enable users to authenticate the network, but to store none of the state of the blockchain.
The reduced hardware specifications may allow a node to be more accessible. This would minimize obstacles that tend to influence users towards the use of the hosted services. This is a type of service that can bring about risks of centralization in the long run.
Verkle tree work and data compression work go on throughout the ecosystem. These upgrades are meant to cut the cost of data to node operators. Although the ultimate aim is to be stateless, some partial progress is underway.
Decentralization is enhanced by a roadmap and a manifesto
These priorities have been strengthened in the Ethereum Foundation Trustless Manifesto. The document denounces convenience-related shortcuts that undermine permissionless systems.
The manifesto warns against the heavy dependence on centralized relayers or hosted nodes. It states that each member must check protocol regulations on their own.
The usability is also facilitated by the Ethereum roadmap. Smart wallets in the form of smart contracts are being developed to make it easier to pay gas and manage a key. These modifications will help to enhance user experience without compromising on core security.
The developers of Layer 2 are advised to trust the base layer of Ethereum to be secure. Buterin recommends not having duplicated logic of chain complexity. This plan will minimize the risk and make the larger system simpler to audit.
To sum up, the message of Buterin is indicative of a larger industry issue regarding decentralization sustainability. His speculation about the future of Ethereum is that it will rely on simplicity that can facilitate verification, accessibility, and long-term trustlessness.
