I think it's important to think that technology is meaningless without practicality. What Ethereum aims for in 2026 is not a trend, but the realization of a user-friendly decentralized society. Perhaps we should have the ability to discern the essence. #Ethereum #Vitalic
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Jon and Lila share their unique perspectives in this conversation in English 👉 [Read the dialogue in English]
👋 Everyone who is holding on, are you still breathing?
Okay, listen up everyone! 2026 has just begun, but Ethereum boss Vitalik Buterin has just dropped a New Year's message: The key to Ethereum becoming a real "world computer" isusabilityとdecentralizationThat's because, while 2025 saw the advancement of technological updates, 2026 will be more user-focused, and will aim for essential evolution rather than trend-chasing. The market remains volatile, but this news is an important point that will influence the future of Ethereum. In conclusion, Ethereum will compete not on hype, but on the balance of practicality and decentralization! (Approximately 250 characters)
🔰 Difficulty:Elementary to Intermediate
🎯 Recommended:People who want to understand technology trends
Vitalik Buterin Outlines Usability and Decentralization as Ethereum's Core Tests
- Key point 1: Vitalik emphasizes usability and decentralization as the core of Ethereum in 2026. Practicality, not hype!
- Key point 2: Looking back on the progress made in 2025 (zkEVM and improved scalability), he pointed out the challenges.
- Key point 3: Developers should increase the utility of decentralized applications (DApps) and build censorship-resistant infrastructure.
📑 Table of Contents
Background and Issues
Well, let's talk over coffee at a cafe. Everyone knows Ethereum, right? It's like the younger brother of Bitcoin, a blockchain that runs smart contracts. But even though technology has evolved up until 2025, there are still many challenges ahead.
First, some background. Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Ethereum, said in his New Year's message: "Ethereum is trying to become the world computer.usabilityとdecentralization"We have to pass these two tests." In 2025, we scaled the network by updating the gas limit and evolving the zkEVM, but the user experience was still lacking. Even though it's decentralized, there are still some aspects that feel centralized.
To put the challenges in terms of everyday life, imagine this. Ethereum is like a giant laptop that everyone shares. Everyone can create and run apps (DApps), but the laptop is heavy and difficult to use (low usability), and it's dependent on a central source, like someone has control of the power supply (weakness of decentralization). It's like sharing a house with friends, but one person has the key, making it a pain for everyone to get in and out. I'm joking, but in reality, gas is so expensive that many people have said things like, "One transaction costs the equivalent of a cup of coffee."
If this problem isn't solved, Ethereum will become nothing more than a "hype machine." Vitalik warns, "Instead of following trends, we need censorship-resistant infrastructure." We aim for a truly decentralized world where governments and large corporations have little opportunity to intervene. Beginners might not understand this, but what if your bank account was suddenly frozen? Ethereum is a tool to avoid such risks.
Furthermore, this will be positioned as a "core test" in 2026. In addition to technical updates, improvements from the user's perspective are key. For example, wallet operation may become as easy as a smartphone app. As decentralization progresses, there will be less concern that a single server downtime will bring down the entire system. Well, for someone like me who makes a mistake in a transaction in the middle of the night and ends up holding on to it, ease of use is crucial (laughs).
The core of the technology
Now we get to the real story. Let's dig deeper into the core of Vitalik's message: usability and decentralization. First, usability means "ease of use." Ethereum transactions should be as smooth as an Instagram post. Decentralization is "decentralization," a mechanism to prevent power from being concentrated in one place.
Take a look at the diagram. This image shows the layers of Ethereum. There is the Ethereum mainnet as the foundation, and Layer 2 (Optimism, etc.) sits on top to scale. To improve usability, technologies like zkEVM evolved in 2025. What is zkEVM? It's like a highway with certificates. It processes transactions faster while "proofing" them, and reduces gas costs. I'm joking, but "without zkEVM, I'd be so frustrated with traffic that I'd spill my coffee" (lol).
Next is tokenomics. Ethereum's economic model is based on the ETH token. PoS (Proof of Stake) supports decentralization. You earn rewards by staking, but improved usability could lead to an increase in DApps and increased demand for ETH. The key to decentralization is the number of nodes (participants). It's all about making it easy to use so that anyone can operate a node.
To break it down, usability is improving the user interface. For example, MetaMask is becoming more intuitive. Decentralization is the distribution of validators. It is community-driven so that no single company dominates.
| Item | Conventional | This time (2026 target) |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Gas is expensive and complicated. Beginners will cry. | Low cost and easy operation with zkEVM. Smartphone app level. |
| Decentralization | Concentration of some validators. Risk of central dependency. | Increased nodes and enhanced censorship resistance. Everyone can participate. |
| Scalability | Frequent transaction delays and traffic congestion. | Layer 2 evolution for high speed. Suitable for everyday use. |
Looking at this table, the previous Ethereum was like an "old car," while the new one is like an "autonomous electric vehicle." Vitalik says it will create a "free and open internet." Technically speaking, zkEVM uses zero-knowledge proofs to maintain privacy while increasing speed. Decentralization increases fairness by addressing MEV (Miner Extractable Value).
Applications and Market Impact
So how will this affect the market? From a developer's perspective, improved usability will make it easier to create DApps. For example, DeFi apps will be more intuitive, allowing users to "borrow or lend with just two clicks." Decentralization will also increase censorship resistance, leading to more apps that can withstand government regulation.
From a user perspective, there are many examples of everyday use. Imagine this: social media is based on Ethereum and posts are not censored. Just kidding, but it's like an app for complaining at work without your boss finding out (lol). The market impact could be a stabilization of ETH prices. As its practicality increases, will there be more use cases instead of speculation, and volatility will decrease? However, there are also risks, which I'll touch on later.
Developers are prioritizing "real-world use cases" at Vitalik's urging. Example: medical data sharing, decentralized management while preserving privacy. In the overall market, Ethereum leads other chains as the "foundation." DeFi TVL (Total Value Locked) may skyrocket in 2026. But it's not about the hype, it's about the substance.
Actions by level
This is important! Don't just buy it, but understand and experience it. Beginners: Learn the basics on the official Ethereum website. Create a wallet and try sending small amounts. Just kidding, but "Practice with 0.001 ETH at first, and even if it melts, it's enough to buy a coffee."
Intermediate: Try using DApps using Layer 2 (such as Arbitrum). Experience the evolution of usability. Watch a tutorial on node operation to understand decentralization. Focus on experience and observe market trends.
Future prospects and risks
The future is bright. As per Vitalik's vision, Ethereum will become a global computer by 2026. With improved scalability, billions of users will use it daily. Decentralization will unleash the true potential of Web3.
But don't forget about the risks. Technical risk: Network down due to failed updates. Legal risk: Japanese residents should be careful due to tightening regulations. Operational risk: Hacking and fluctuations in gas fees. If you use an overseas exchange, remember that there are risks that are not legally protected.
Gambling related? There are apps similar to DeFi, but this article is only an explanation. If there is a topic that seems like an online casino,*Using online casinos from within Japan may be considered a form of gambling. This article is intended solely to provide commentary on technology and market trends.
My Feelings, Then and Now
Vitalik's message is that Ethereum is at a turning point. Once usability and decentralization are achieved, a truly decentralized world will emerge. However, DYOR (Do Your Own Research) is important. Research it yourself and make your own judgment!
💬 What do you think?
👨💻 Author: SnowJon (WEB3/AI Practitioner/Investor)
Based on the knowledge I gained from the University of Tokyo's Blockchain Innovation Course,
Researches and disseminates information on WEB3 and AI technology from a practical perspective.
We place importance on translating difficult technologies into a form that can be understood.
*AI is used as an auxiliary tool, and the author is responsible for final confirmation and responsibility of the content.