Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum (ETH), the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, has publicly raised the idea of changing Ethereum’s core development language. Until now, Ethereum has relied on its own Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), designed specifically for ETH-based applications. Buterin now proposes transitioning to the widely-used RISC-V instruction set architecture to enhance the network’s scalability and efficiency.
According to industry sources on the 22nd, Buterin recently published a proposal on the Ethereum developer forum, suggesting a shift from the current EVM language to RISC-V. This is seen as an effort to keep pace with next-generation blockchains like Solana (SOL) and Sui (SUI), which offer faster speeds and lower fees.
Ethereum is architecturally divided into an "Execution Layer" and a "Consensus Layer." The execution layer was used in the past under the proof-of-work (PoW) system to process transactions, while the consensus layer is now used in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) model. In simpler terms, the execution layer acts as the “hands and brain” of the blockchain, processing transactions, whereas the consensus layer functions as the “nervous system,” setting the rules for network operation.
Buterin explained,
“Changing the development language could significantly simplify the consensus layer and enable radical changes in the execution layer as well. If implemented, this change could improve efficiency by over 100x.”
Ethereum was the first blockchain platform to support smart contracts—an innovation that laid the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, Ethereum has faced criticism for its relatively high transaction fees and slower processing compared to newer blockchains. For instance, while Solana charges less than $0.10 per transaction, Ethereum fees still average over $3 despite recent declines.
To address these issues, the Ethereum ecosystem has developed Layer 2 solutions and even issued native tokens for these networks. However, the decline in ETH’s value has limited the impact of these efforts. Some experts argue that while Layer 2 technologies address Ethereum’s inefficiencies, they may also weaken Ethereum’s core by reducing transaction volume and fee revenue on the main chain. As users shift toward faster, cheaper Layer 2 options, the Ethereum Foundation’s income from gas fees could further decline.
Additionally, any major change like switching the development language would require a network upgrade (hard fork) and broad consensus from ETH holders and the Ethereum community. As such, even if the proposal moves forward, implementation could take several months—or even years.
Meanwhile, prior to raising the idea of changing Ethereum’s development language, Buterin had hinted at focusing more on long-term research efforts. Tomasz Stańczak, a fellow director at the Ethereum Foundation, commented:
“We concluded that it would be better for Vitalik to focus on research rather than reacting to market volatility. The future of Ethereum depends on the capabilities of its core development team. In upcoming upgrades, we will prioritize improving user experience and solving scalability challenges.”
