Ethereum Must Pass a 'Deprecation Test' to Achieve Long-Term Self-Sustainability, Says Vitalik Buterin

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has emphasized the need for the network to pass a 'Walkaway Test,' ensuring it remains functional and secure without constant development or supplier-side maintenance according to LookonChain. The concept centers around Ethereum operating as a decentralized, trust-minimized infrastructure across various domains, including finance and governance as detailed by LookonChain. This would allow applications built on Ethereum to function reliably over the long term, even if their development teams disband or shift focus according to LookonChain.

The deprecation of Ethereum-based tokens like MANTRA's OM highlights the broader trend in the industry. MANTRA announced that the ERC20 OM token will be deprecated on January 15, 2026, with holders expected to migrate to the new version ahead of the deadline according to TradingView. The move aims to consolidate liquidity and utility on the chosen environment, potentially improving market depth and efficiency as reported by TradingView.

Ethereum's deprecation test includes several key goals, such as achieving full post-quantum cryptographic security and developing a sustainable scaling architecture. Vitalik Buterin outlined these goals in a recent post, emphasizing the need for Ethereum to be resilient enough that even with protocol ossification, its core value proposition remains intact according to LookonChain.

Why Did This Happen?

Vitalik Buterin outlined the rationale behind the 'Walkaway Test' as a way to ensure Ethereum can operate securely and independently without ongoing development according to LookonChain. The network's mission is to function as a decentralized infrastructure for trust-minimized applications, which requires long-term reliability and functionality as detailed by LookonChain. The goal is to make Ethereum self-sustaining, so it can continue to serve as a foundational layer for various applications without relying on constant upgrades according to LookonChain.

The deprecation of ERC20 tokens like OM reflects a broader industry strategy to streamline and consolidate token liquidity according to TradingView. MANTRA's approach aims to reduce fragmentation by directing holders to a more liquid and supported version of the token as reported by TradingView. This strategy is seen as beneficial for market efficiency in the long run, even though it may create short-term volatility according to TradingView.

How Did Markets React?

Ethereum has recently shown strong signals of accumulation, with net outflows reaching -$1.06 billion in the past week according to TradingView. This outflow, combined with a spike in validator entry queues and record address growth, suggests major players are locking up ETH for staking and long-term positioning as reported by TradingView. The market has also seen increased staking activity, with BitMine staking over 800,000 ETH according to TradingView.

The price action has shown resilience, with Ethereum surpassing the daily MA 50 at $3,022 and reaching a high of $3,307 on January 6 according to TradingView. At press time, ETH was trading at $3,027, with market participants watching closely for support at the $3,000 level according to TradingView.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring Ethereum's progress toward its stated goals, including full post-quantum security and scalable architecture according to LookonChain. Vitalik Buterin emphasized the importance of completing these milestones within the next few years to ensure Ethereum remains resilient according to LookonChain.

The deprecation of ERC20 tokens and the transition to more efficient token structures are also under scrutiny. MANTRA's migration deadline of January 15 will be a key event to watch, as it could influence market dynamics and investor behavior according to TradingView.

In addition to Ethereum, analysts are keeping a close eye on the broader crypto market and the potential impact of Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026 according to Coinpedia. Wall Street firms like Morgan Stanley and Citigroup have adjusted their forecasts, anticipating at least two 25-basis-point rate cuts in the year according to Coinpedia. These developments could influence investor sentiment and capital flows into crypto markets according to Coinpedia.