Ethereum Co-Founder Proposes New Scaling Solutions for L1 Network
2min read Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently published a research article on X, outlining a new approach to simplify Ethereum L1 scaling for everyday node operators. The article, which credits contributions from Micah Zoltu, Toni Wahrstätter, Justin Traglia, and pcaversaccio, highlights the challenges of raising gas limits and the potential burden it could place on average users running full nodes. The discussion underscores the core challenges facing decentralization and broad blockchain adoption, setting the stage for future improvements without sacrificing network openness.
Buterin advocates for personal control in blockchain access, emphasizing that running a full node allows users to verify transactions and blocks without relying on outside services. This trustless method enables users to check data without needing third-party providers. While security tools can speed up data checking, they do not solve every user access issue. The need for private, trustless ways to keep data access remains vital for secure personal interactions, driving research into more flexible, lower resource node designs.
Personal nodes allow users to run their own connection points for secure network access, protecting data from censorship or unwanted tracking. Relying on a few large service providers risks disruption from political or regional pressure. Access issues could arise if these platforms face outages or policy changes. Maintaining diverse connection methods helps keep network access stable and open, supporting trust and resilience within the decentralized network. This approach reduces reliance on centralized connection points that might turn off without warning, ensuring nodes run even under unexpected conditions.
Another proposal involves changing fees to make storing new data more expensive while reducing the cost of computation tasks. This switch aims to shrink the growing blockchain state size over time. By raising storage costs, developers hope to reduce unneeded data on the chain, encouraging smaller data use and guiding smart contract designers toward better efficiency. This step could strengthen long-term network health and lower user load overall, reflecting an evolving approach to support Ethereum’s core values fairly.
Developers are also exploring lightweight node models to improve accessibility. Plans include lowering node storage needs by keeping only the most recent 36 days of data, significantly cutting computer needs for personal node operators. Older data would be spread across many machines in small pieces, keeping access to old information without large single computer storage. These efforts support future Ethereum L1 scaling goals by reducing resource hurdles, making running personal nodes practical for more community members.
Researchers also plan to allow nodes to verify blocks without holding full historical data, potentially cutting data needs by roughly half for many node operators. This method paves the way for a new class of flexible, lightweight network participants who would still confirm transactions but keep only the needed state parts. Users could choose which data they store based on their personal interests, reducing computer barriers and enhancing user privacy. This selective storage model supports Ethereum L1 scaling by making network participation more adaptable and efficient.
All these steps aim to protect open access and empower individual network participants, reflecting a commitment to keep the system decentralized and user-controlled. As blockchain adoption expands, technical changes must keep participation possible for all. These proposals balance performance growth with preserving user sovereignty and network trust. With community input and careful design, Ethereum can grow without sacrificing core values, ensuring upgrades serve users without sacrificing principle-based governance or network openness.
