Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has issued a stark warning to the blockchain's developer community, cautioning that the network's escalating complexity is eroding its foundational principle of trustlessness. In a post on X dated January 18, 2026, Buterin argued that the expanding and intricate codebase risks creating a dependency on a 'small class of high priests'—a select group of technical experts—which fundamentally undermines decentralization and user self-sovereignty.
Buterin emphasized that the original vision for Ethereum prioritized simplicity, but the protocol has since ballooned to contain hundreds of thousands of lines of code. This complexity makes the system inaccessible to the average user or developer, shifting trust from verifiable code to trusted individuals. To counter this trend, Buterin advocated for a philosophical shift towards code simplicity, which he believes is essential for the network's stability and maturation.
As a practical solution, Buterin proposed implementing regular 'garbage collection' processes to systematically remove old, unused, or unnecessary features from the Ethereum protocol. He stressed that a cleaner, simpler codebase not only enhances security by reducing potential bugs but also protects long-term user independence. Furthermore, he advised against over-reliance on overly complex cryptography where simpler tools would suffice.
The call for simplification has resonated within the crypto community, with many developers and community members expressing support. They agree that a more accessible and understandable protocol could lower barriers to entry, foster broader participation, and ultimately strengthen Ethereum's future by enabling more people to build, verify, and use the network without deep technical expertise.
