Vitalik Buterin: Ethereum needs to simplify the protocol to truly achieve "trustless"

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently stated that for Ethereum to truly achieve “trustlessness,” it not only depends on code and decentralized validator networks but also requires enabling more users to understand the entire blockchain protocol from start to finish. Simplifying the protocol itself is key to achieving this goal.

Buterin pointed out that the core of trustlessness lies in the protocol’s ability to operate automatically without continuous developer intervention. However, if the protocol is too complex and only a few technical experts can understand its logic, then ordinary users are effectively still required to “trust” that small group of people, which runs counter to the original intention of blockchain.

He posted on X platform: “An underestimated form of trustlessness is increasing the number of users who can truly understand the entire protocol. Ethereum needs to achieve this by simplifying the protocol.” When asked whether this would sacrifice some functionality, Buterin admitted that sometimes accepting reduced features in exchange for better understandability is appropriate.

This view is also supported within the Ethereum ecosystem. The privacy Layer 2 project INTMAX, built on Ethereum, stated that if a privacy protocol can only be understood by a few people, then it is not truly trustless but merely shifts the object of trust. Compared to complex “black box systems,” a simple and auditable architecture better aligns with the spirit of blockchain.

In fact, the crypto industry has long faced the problem of high barriers to user understanding. From private key management, Gas fees, to protocol mechanisms and regulatory uncertainties, complex technical details often discourage ordinary users.

The Ethereum official roadmap also acknowledges that the current network is still “too complex” for most users. Future efforts will focus on lowering the usage barrier to make the experience closer to traditional Web2 applications. Related initiatives include promoting smart contract wallets, simplifying Gas fees and key management, and reducing the technical requirements for running nodes.

Additionally, the Ethereum Foundation continues to fund educational programs to promote blockchain knowledge dissemination. Overall, simplifying protocols and enhancing user understanding are becoming crucial parts of Ethereum’s long-term goal of achieving decentralization and trustlessness.