Michaela
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has cautioned that elliptic curve cryptography could be vulnerable before the next U.S. presidential election and stressed that Ethereum’s base layer should remain fixed to protect against potential bugs.
Key Points
- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has cautioned that elliptic curve cryptography could be vulnerable before the next U
- presidential election and stressed that Ethereum’s base layer should remain fixed to protect against potential bugs
At the Devconnect conference in Buenos Aires, Buterin suggested that the protocol’s base layer should ossify, marking a notable shift from its traditional focus on flexibility and iterative development.
“More and more ossification over time is good for Ethereum,” Buterin stated. “We have a much lower rate of surprises now.”
Buterin emphasized that stability should take priority over adaptability, signaling a shift from Ethereum’s traditional model of rapid evolution and open development. He suggested that different layers of the protocol could ossify at varying rates, with the consensus layer potentially locking changes while the Ethereum Virtual Machine remains flexible, or the reverse, noting that retaining some degree of flexibility remains important.
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The aim is not to hinder innovation but to shift it away from Ethereum’s base layer toward the broader ecosystem. This includes Layer 2 rollups, wallets, privacy solutions, and user-focused applications, rather than core protocol changes. With Layer 2 networks already processing the bulk of Ethereum’s transactions, moving more activity off the base layer can free up capacity on Layer 1 for settlement and security. “It’s healthy to move attention out of L1 and into the surrounding ecosystem,” Buterin stated.
Buterin acknowledged that this strategic shift carries trade-offs. He noted that much of the space has favored a “fast follower” approach, where projects replicate existing successes, potentially limiting creativity and innovation. The Ethereum co-founder also cautioned that elliptic curve cryptography, which underpins the security of both Ethereum and Bitcoin, is not invulnerable and may eventually be compromised.
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“Elliptic curves are going to die,” Buterin stated, spotlighting concerns that quantum computing could compromise Ethereum’s core security framework before the next U.S. presidential election in 2028.
As Ethereum continues to evolve, Buterin’s warnings serve as a reminder that even the most robust blockchain systems must plan for long-term technological shifts. Developers, investors, and users alike may need to prepare for a future where quantum computing reshapes security standards and drives innovation in both protocol design and surrounding ecosystems.
MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
