David Edwards
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently addressed the longstanding debate comparing Solana and Ethereum, arguing that Solana’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system exhibits greater centralization. During a recent interview, Buterin cited challenges associated with running a Solana node and pointed out the significant role of the Solana Foundation in supporting community projects.
“They [Solana] focus heavily on applications,” Buterin stated, emphasizing initiatives such as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks), which involve collaborations with telecom companies and hardware providers. He argued that these efforts prioritize speed and efficiency over decentralization, a stark contrast to Ethereum’s foundational principles.
Decentralization as Ethereum’s Core Strength
Buterin underscored Ethereum’s unique approach, particularly its Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions such as Arbitrum, Base, and MegaETH, which maintain decentralization while improving transaction speeds. He acknowledged that Ethereum Layer 1 (L1) alone cannot support high-performance applications demanding 100+ transactions per second (TPS). However, Ethereum’s commitment to neutrality and security differentiates it from faster but more centralized alternatives.
“Ethereum offers a long-term commitment to decentralization,” Buterin asserted, noting that Ethereum’s decentralized structure surpasses even Bitcoin’s, based on PoS mining pool data.
Progress in Addressing Centralization Challenges
Buterin also highlighted Ethereum’s strides in reducing centralization. Three years ago, the network was reliant on clients like Geth and Prysm, which dominated over 52% of the network. Today, no single client holds a majority share.
The Tornado Cash controversy further showcased Ethereum’s resilience. Following sanctions, Ethereum faced scrutiny for potentially censoring transactions. Yet, over two years, the percentage of blocks censoring these transactions declined significantly, from over 80% to between 20% and 50%.
Balancing Decentralization and High-Performance Use Cases
Buterin admitted that Ethereum L1 may not suit high-performance applications, such as gaming, which demand greater speed and efficiency. He emphasized the critical role of L2 in addressing these gaps, ensuring Ethereum L1 remains a decentralized and secure base layer.
He also praised Polymarket, a prediction platform, for its efficiency compared to earlier solutions like Augur, which suffered from high transaction fees. Polymarket’s lower costs and faster confirmations make it an ideal example of how Ethereum L2 can enhance user experiences.
