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In a bold move to reduce complexity, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced a five-year plan to simplify the blockchain’s protocol, taking inspiration from Bitcoin’s straightforward architecture. On May 3, 2025, Vitalik Buterin published a blog post titled “Simplifying the L1,” where he praised Bitcoin’s elegance and outlined major upgrades to make Ethereum more efficient and user-friendly.
The proposed changes include a 3-slot finality consensus system and replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, a move that could boost efficiency by 100 times. Vitalik Buterin emphasized that while Ethereum has grown in functionality, its increasing complexity poses risks to security and adoption.
Buterin described Bitcoin’s design as “beautifully simple”—a quality he believes Ethereum should strive for.
“Bitcoin’s strength lies in its minimalism. It does one thing well: it is a decentralized ledger. Ethereum, on the other hand, has evolved into a multi-layered ecosystem, which, while powerful, has become harder to audit and optimize,” he wrote.
The Bitcoin bill veto by several governments in recent years has reinforced the need for blockchain simplicity, as regulatory scrutiny grows. Vitalik Buterin’s plan aims to make Ethereum more resilient to such challenges by adopting a leaner, more secure infrastructure.
3-Slot Finality Consensus
Replaces Ethereum’s current proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism with a faster, more predictable finality model.
Reduces confirmation times while maintaining security.
Transition to RISC-V Architecture
Replaces the EVM with RISC-V, a streamlined, open-source instruction set.
Could improve execution speed by 100x, making Ethereum more scalable.
Reduction in Smart Contract Complexity
Encourages developers to write simpler, more efficient code.
Minimizes attack vectors and reduces gas fees.
Vitalik Buterin acknowledged that these changes won’t happen overnight. “This is a five-year vision. We need to ensure backward compatibility while moving toward a cleaner design,” he stated.
The Bitcoin bill veto debates have highlighted the importance of simplicity in blockchain design. By adopting a more Bitcoin-like approach, Ethereum could become more appealing to regulators and institutional investors.
Buterin’s focus on efficiency also benefits Bitcoin holders who interact with Ethereum, such as through wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) or DeFi protocols. A faster, simpler Ethereum means lower costs and fewer risks for cross-chain transactions.
While the plan has been met with enthusiasm, some developers worry about the challenges of overhauling Ethereum’s core infrastructure. Critics argue that Bitcoin’s simplicity comes at the cost of functionality, something Ethereum was built to expand upon.
However, Vitalik Buterin remains confident. “We don’t need to sacrifice innovation for simplicity. We can have both—a secure, scalable, and easy-to-understand blockchain,” he wrote.
The Bitcoin bill veto movement has pushed blockchain projects to rethink their designs. Vitalik Buterin’s vision aligns with this shift, prioritizing security and usability over unchecked complexity.
If successful, Ethereum could emerge as a more Bitcoin-like network—streamlined, efficient, and ready for mass adoption. For now, the crypto community watches closely as one of the biggest blockchain upgrades takes shape.
By embracing Bitcoin’s “beautifully simple” philosophy, Ethereum may finally overcome its biggest hurdle: its own complexity. Get the latest updates from The Bit Gazette.
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