Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, seeks to transform the network to be as simple as Bitcoin, making it faster, more secure, and easier to use. To do so, he suggests replacing the complex Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with a more efficient architecture, such as RISC-V, along with other improvements that reduce costs and technical barriers. The goal is to make it a globally accessible platform.
To move toward a simpler Ethereum, Buterin proposes simplifying the rules for selecting forks, incorporating STARK proofs a technology that allows data to be verified without revealing it or relying on intermediaries—as the basis for a more decentralized network, and unifying the entire protocol. This includes establishing a single erasure coding method and using more orderly tree structures that reduce complexity and improve overall network performance.
The initiative has generated a wave of reactions on X. Some users, such as MerlijnTrader, celebrate the idea as a transformation that could make Ethereum unstoppable, with faster and cheaper transactions, even going so far as to talk about the project as an Ethereum 2.0 ready to integrate artificial intelligence. However, not everyone is convinced: ZephiraNet harshly criticized it, clarifying that Vitalik pre-mined 70% of the supply in a launch that he describes as unfair and fraudulent the way in which the tokens were initially distributed when the network was launched in 2015, suggesting that the network has been dragging problems since its inception.
Buterin's proposal has also prompted technical reflections on the stability of the ecosystem. Daniel Wang (@realdantaik), from the Taiko project, proposes that applications that operate on Ethereum such as rollups, which help process transactions faster and at lower costs should be in “battle tested” mode. This means that their code should run flawlessly on the main network for at least six months, and handle a minimum volume of USD 100 million, including at least USD 50 million in ETH or stablecoins.
Wang isn't suggesting that all rollups are poorly designed, but rather points to a structural weakness: the lack of a clear standard that ensures these solutions have been tested under real-world, demanding conditions. In his view, when a rollup handles large volumes of money, it inevitably attracts the attention of hackers or malicious actors. If it can withstand these attacks over a sustained period, it demonstrates that it is secure and trustworthy for the ecosystem.
This whole discussion stems from the original thread Vitalik posted on X on May 3, where he outlined his plan. In that post, the programmer wrote: “One of the best things about Bitcoin is how simple it is. That simplicity has many benefits. Let’s bring those benefits to Ethereum.”
His post sparked a wave of reactions, especially among BTC proponents. Among the reactions, users like " PsychedelicBart " were blunt: "I think you should pull the plug on ETH. Bitcoin already won, " while" BitcoinIsaiah “ asserted: "You lost. Get over it and stop trying to profit from Bitcoin's success." Finally, " egyptianhodler“ echoed the sentiment, declaring: "Eth is dead. Buy Bitcoin."
While these criticisms don't directly address the technical details of the proposal, such as its use of RISC-V or STARK proofs, they reflect the perception that Bitcoin, due to its minimalist design and pioneering position, has already overshadowed Ethereum's efforts to scale and diversify.
Doubts about Ethereum aren't limited to the Ethereum community. Investment firm Two Prime recently announced it will stop offering Ethereum-backed products to focus exclusively on Bitcoin. While acknowledging Ethereum's past success, they note that its recent erratic market behavior, loss of a strong narrative, and lack of clear direction have undermined its value proposition. In contrast, they highlight that BTC has maintained a predictable trajectory even during times of high volatility, reinforcing its appeal as a base asset for investment and lending strategies.
Criticism of Ethereum has also come from key figures in the ecosystem. Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano and one of the original co-founders of ETH, stated during a stream on April 23 that the network "won't survive more than 10 or 15 years" if it doesn't address its structural flaws. In particular, he harshly questioned the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) model adopted after The Merge, noting that its reliance on the penalty mechanism known as slashing introduces unnecessary friction that harms the ecosystem's internal economy.
