Ethereum has been widely recognized as a blockchain and smart contract pioneer. However, despite its many achievements, its founder, Vitalik Buterin, reveals that the journey toward complete decentralization is far from over.
He emphasizes the urgent need to establish clearer metrics to assess how well projects within Ethereum truly reflect the vision of decentralization, rather than merely focusing on social networks or personal relationships.
Challenges Behind The True Decentralization
Buterin states in his latest blog on September 28, 2024, that the primary challenge today is maintaining integration among various projects in the Ethereum ecosystem so that they do not fracture into separate entities that are disconnected from one another.
“It is crucial to maintain a unified vision within this ecosystem, rather than allowing it to splinter into hundreds of small kingdoms that compete with each other,” Buterin writes.
He emphasizes that without objective and measurable metrics, Ethereum risks becoming a playground where socially driven projects dominate rather than those providing genuine value.
In this context, Buterin encourages the development of metrics that can measure key aspects such as code openness, interoperability, and positive impacts on the broader community.
Facing Social Realities
Buterin reminds us that without measurable metrics, Ethereum could fall into detrimental social dynamics. Projects that succeed may do so merely because of support from their social networks rather than their overall contribution to the ecosystem.
Therefore, he proposes developing clearer metrics, such as openness in code and collectively adopted standards.
“Decentralization should not just be a slogan; it must be measured in ways that are understandable and accessible to everyone,” Buterin asserts.
This necessitates the community taking tangible steps toward accountability and transparency.
Embracing a Collaborative Approach
In Buterin’s view, collaboration among projects within Ethereum is more important than competition. By working together, projects can build mutually supportive infrastructure that ultimately benefits the entire ecosystem.
He argues that a “positive-sum” approach is very relevant in this context, where the success of one project can benefit other projects and the community as a whole.
“Success does not have to mean defeating competitors; it should mean creating value together,” he says.
This approach strengthens relationships among projects and ensures that the vision of Ethereum’s decentralization can be realized sustainably.
Measuring Decentralization: Steps Toward the Future
Vitalik Buterin introduces new concepts focused on measuring decentralization, such as the “walkaway test” and “insider attack test.” These concepts aim to ensure that projects built on Ethereum do not rely on centralized infrastructure.
The walkaway test assesses an application’s ability to function without the presence of developers or servers, while the insider attack test evaluates how vulnerable a project is to attacks from within.
Both tools provide useful guidelines to reduce dependence on centralized structures and help shape a stronger, more resilient ecosystem against various threats.
Realizing the Vision of Decentralization
While much progress has been made, Buterin emphasizes that the journey toward true decentralization is still lengthy.
The Ethereum community needs to commit to developing reliable metrics and transparent monitoring systems to ensure that each project is valued based on its contributions, not the social networks supporting it.
“A meritocracy is only possible if we can clearly define what ‘merit’ is,” Buterin states.
In this context, every individual in the Ethereum ecosystem needs to collaborate and contribute to a more decentralized and inclusive future.
With a clear vision and a commitment to collaboration, Vitalik Buterin invites the Ethereum community to collectively create an ecosystem that is not only secure but also sustainable and mutually supportive, to achieve true decentralization.
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