Vitalik Buterin Introduces Security Tests for Crypto Projects at EthCC

At the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) on July 2, 2025, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a series of critical security tests designed to evaluate the resilience and decentralization of crypto projects. These tests aim to provide practical frameworks for users and developers to assess whether assets remain secure under adverse conditions.

Buterin introduced the “walkaway test” as a foundational measure of a crypto project’s security. This test assesses whether users’ assets remain secure if the company and its infrastructure suddenly disappear. The core advantage of blockchain technology lies in its on-chain nature, which inherently protects assets by distributing them across a decentralized network rather than relying on a single server. Buterin highlighted that this principle is fundamental for any project claiming true decentralization. He cited “privvy embedded wallets” as exemplary tools that empower users to export their private keys, enhancing control and security. Additionally, Farcaster, a decentralized social media protocol, was mentioned for its innovative use of Ethereum accounts as backup addresses, demonstrating practical decentralization beyond mere on-chain claims. This approach ensures that users retain control over their accounts even if the primary service fails, embodying the essence of resilient decentralization.

Buterin further introduced the “insider attack test,” urging builders to assess security from the perspective of internal threats, including malicious employees or compromised founders. This test examines how much damage insiders could inflict, focusing on vulnerabilities across smart contracts, user interfaces, oracles, and governance structures. By anticipating insider risks, projects can implement stronger safeguards and reduce potential attack surfaces. He emphasized that many projects have made commendable progress in addressing these concerns but called for this mindset to become a standard security practice. Recognizing insider threats as a first-class property of security architecture is crucial for building trust and resilience in decentralized ecosystems.

Another critical framework discussed was the “trusted computing base (TCB) test,” which challenges developers to consider how many lines of code users must trust not to compromise the system. Buterin explained that while large codebases are acceptable, the key lies in sandboxing and restricting critical functions to minimize the effective TCB. A bloated or opaque TCB undermines claims of trustlessness, as users must then rely on trust rather than verifiable security. This insight encourages projects to streamline their code and adopt modular designs that isolate sensitive operations, thereby enhancing auditability and reducing systemic risk. The TCB test serves as a practical benchmark for evaluating the true security posture of blockchain applications.

Buterin concluded by urging builders to analyze the game-theoretic properties of their protocols. Even well-intentioned decentralized systems can inadvertently promote centralization if they incentivize convenience through centralized solutions. Drawing parallels to the evolution from Web1 to Web2, he warned that without robust decentralized backup mechanisms, users naturally gravitate toward centralized providers, eroding the benefits of decentralization. This perspective highlights the importance of designing incentive structures that align user behavior with decentralization goals. Projects must balance usability and security to prevent centralization creep and preserve the foundational principles of blockchain technology.

Vitalik Buterin’s comprehensive security tests presented at EthCC provide a valuable framework for evaluating crypto projects’ resilience and decentralization. By applying the walkaway, insider attack, and trusted computing base tests, alongside careful game-theoretic analysis, users and developers can better discern truly secure and durable systems. These benchmarks underscore the necessity of practical decentralization backed by robust backup solutions and minimal trusted components, ensuring that crypto ecosystems remain trustworthy and resistant to both external and internal threats.