TLDR:
- Ethereum achieved major technical milestones in 2025 including higher gas limits and blob counts.
- Zero-knowledge EVMs reached performance benchmarks that enable new privacy and scaling solutions.
- Buterin warns against chasing short-term narratives instead of building decentralized infrastructure.
- The network must improve both blockchain layer software and application layer to meet core goals.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined the blockchain’s achievements in 2025 while calling for renewed focus on its core mission. In a social media post welcoming 2026, Buterin acknowledged progress in gas limits, blob counts, and zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine performance.
However, he stressed the network must accelerate improvements to fulfill its vision as a “world computer” supporting a free and open internet. The remarks come as the industry enters a new year with competing narratives around tokenization and meme coins.
Technical Milestones Mark 2025 Progress
Buterin detailed several technical advances that shaped Ethereum’s 2025 trajectory. Gas limits expanded throughout the year, allowing more transactions per block.
Meanwhile, blob counts increased as part of the network’s data availability improvements. These changes built on earlier upgrades to enhance throughput without compromising security.
Node software quality saw notable gains during the period. Better client implementations and reduced resource requirements made running nodes more accessible.
Additionally, zero-knowledge EVMs achieved critical performance benchmarks that had previously seemed distant. These zkEVM breakthroughs enable efficient privacy and scaling solutions built on Ethereum’s foundation.
The combination of zkEVMs and PeerDAS represented what Buterin called Ethereum’s “largest step” toward becoming a fundamentally different blockchain.
PeerDAS, or Peer Data Availability Sampling, distributes data verification across network participants.
Together with zkEVM technology, these tools create new possibilities for decentralized applications. The technical foundation established in 2025 sets the stage for broader adoption.
Despite these gains, Buterin warned against complacency. He emphasized that chasing “the next meta” or artificially filling blockspace misses the point.
Instead, the network must stay committed to building infrastructure that supports genuinely decentralized applications. This infrastructure must enable services that function without fraud, censorship, or third-party control.
Mission Statement Emphasizes Decentralization Goals
Buterin’s post on social platform X outlined Ethereum’s fundamental purpose. The network aims to power applications that pass the “walkaway test,” continuing to operate even if original developers disappear.
Users should not notice outages at major service providers or successful cyberattacks. Applications must maintain stability across changing companies, ideologies, and political administrations while protecting user privacy.
The Ethereum founder drew a contrast with consumer products from previous generations. Wallets, appliances, books, and vehicles once functioned independently without ongoing corporate dependencies.
Modern equivalents increasingly require subscriptions and create permanent user reliance on centralized entities. Ethereum positions itself as resistance to this trend.
Achieving the stated goals requires progress on two fronts. The blockchain layer needs continued refinement, including the software used to run and interact with the network.
Simultaneously, the application layer must mature to deliver practical, decentralized services. Both areas demand ongoing development work.
Buterin acknowledged that improvements are already underway across these dimensions. However, he insisted the pace must accelerate.
The vision extends beyond finance to include identity systems, governance frameworks, and other civilizational infrastructure.
While the tools exist to realize this vision, the community must apply them effectively. The message reinforced that Ethereum’s long-term mission extends well beyond short-term market trends or speculation.
The post Vitalik Buterin Calls for Renewed Focus on Ethereum’s Core Mission in 2026 appeared first on Blockonomi.
Source: https://blockonomi.com/vitalik-buterin-calls-for-renewed-focus-on-ethereums-core-mission-in-2026/
