Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has written a blog post discussing the ongoing debate over which features should be integrated into the Ethereum protocol and which should be built on top of it. This debate centers on whether to enshrine features within the core protocol or delegate them to smart contracts.
In the early days, Ethereum aimed to keep its base layer simple, following the Unix philosophy of creating flexible and uncomplicated software. The goal was to provide a solid foundation for decentralized applications, with most functionality implemented through smart contracts.
However, as Ethereum evolves, questions arise about whether more features should become part of the core protocol. Enshrining features can offer efficiency gains, robust security, and censorship resistance. But it also risks making transactions more expensive, complicating governance, and reducing flexibility.
Buterin explores various features, including ZK-EVMs, proposer-builder separation, private mempools, liquid staking, and more precompiles, discussing the pros and cons of enshrining each.
Within the Ethereum community, differing perspectives on enshrining features create a complex debate. Pragmatists prioritize enshrining features that benefit users today, while purists seek to preserve Ethereum’s vision as a decentralized application platform. Businesses want quick enshrinement of features to support their use cases, while decentralization advocates fear unaccountable control by privileged groups.
Ultimately, Ethereum’s open “soft forking” process allows continued evolution based on emerging community priorities, and Buterin’s post provides a valuable framework for weighing options and building alignment as Ethereum progresses toward its vision.
The debate over which features should be integrated into the Ethereum protocol and which should be delegated to smart contracts is a central issue as the network continues to evolve. It reflects the ongoing tension between maintaining a minimalist base layer and incorporating new features to enhance efficiency and security. Ethereum’s open and community-driven development process will likely continue to shape the direction of the protocol and its ecosystem.