Buterin Claims Ethereum’s Key to Genuine Trustlessness is Simplification

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of the Ethereum blockchain, states that to achieve genuine trustlessness, the protocol needs to better communicate its features to users, a challenge faced by many blockchain protocols.

True trustlessness would allow a protocol to function without developer oversight, enforcing rules automatically through code. However, if a protocol is overly complex and only a select few can engage with it, others must still rely on that group’s trust.

Ethereum is inherently trustless, as it relies on open-source code and a decentralized network of validators to enforce transactions and smart contracts. Despite this, Buterin noted in a post on X that there’s still a need to enhance user comprehension.

“One crucial yet underestimated aspect of trustlessness is expanding the number of individuals who can fully grasp the entire protocol. Ethereum must become better at this by simplifying the protocol.”

When asked about the feasibility of simplifying, especially considering the trade-offs between technical capabilities and user understanding, Buterin responded, “we should sometimes be open to having fewer features.”

Last year, crypto leaders mentioned to Cointelegraph that the complexities surrounding crypto storage, regulations, and other aspects, which tech-savvy individuals often take for granted, may be preventing average users from engaging with the technology.

Improved understanding needed across all protocols

INTMAX, a privacy layer 2 built on Ethereum, echoed Buterin’s sentiments and stated that this principle also applies to privacy infrastructure.

“If only a handful of people can comprehend how your privacy protocol operates, you haven’t created trustlessness; you’ve merely shifted whom you trust. Simple, auditable privacy frameworks are preferable to complex black boxes,” INTMAX asserted.