In a recent blog post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed a series of changes aimed at simplifying Ethereum’s Layer-1 design—taking a cue from what he calls one of Bitcoin’s “best things.”
Buterin emphasized that one of the greatest advantages of Bitcoin is its elegant simplicity, which has helped it remain robust and understandable, even to non-experts. He wrote,
“One of the best things about Bitcoin is how simple it is. This simplicity has lots of benefits. Let’s bring those benefits to Ethereum.”
What Makes Bitcoin’s Simplicity So Powerful?
According to Buterin, Bitcoin’s core protocol is so minimalistic that even a smart high school student can fully understand it. He highlighted that:
- Blocks are linked with a hash
- Each block is verified by proof-of-work
- The blockchain functions by processing transactions that move coins from one user to another
One of the best things about Bitcoin is how simple it is. This simplicity has lots of benefits. Let’s bring those benefits to Ethereum. pic.twitter.com/YwmVaOCPlP
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) May 3, 2025
This makes Bitcoin not only more accessible for hobbyist developers to build clients but also contributes to its overall security and decentralization, as more people are capable of auditing or verifying the network.
Ethereum: Powerful but Complex
Ethereum, by contrast, has become far more complex over time due to its support for smart contracts, staking, Layer-2s, and DeFi applications. While this makes Ethereum powerful, it also makes the network harder to understand, maintain, and scale securely.
Buterin’s suggestion is not to strip away Ethereum’s capabilities but to simplify the core protocol, so it’s easier to verify and more resistant to systemic risks.
The Path Forward
While he hasn’t released a definitive roadmap, Buterin’s remarks could spark new discussions around protocol design, especially as Ethereum transitions deeper into its proof-of-stake future and as Layer-2 adoption increases. By marrying Ethereum’s flexibility with Bitcoin’s clarity, Buterin envisions a next-generation protocol that’s both powerful and user-verifiable.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/vvitalik-buterin-wants-ethereum-to-embrace-one-of-bitcoins-greatest-strengths/