Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has published a technical proposal aimed at dramatically simplifying the process of running a node on the Ethereum network. The core of the proposal is a pull request that would merge the backend programs for the Beacon Chain (consensus layer) and the execution layer into a single, unified code structure.
Currently, Ethereum validators must run two separate programs, each requiring individual setup and synchronization to coordinate data between the consensus and execution layers. Buterin argues this dual-structure raises the technical complexity to a level that prevents ordinary users from running their own infrastructure, forcing reliance on third-party service providers like remote procedure call (RPC) providers.
In a post on X, Buterin strongly criticized the status quo, stating, "I feel like at every level, we have implicitly made this decision that running a node is this oh so scary DevOps task that it is ok to leave to professionals... It is not. We need to reverse this. Running your own Ethereum infrastructure should be the basic right of every individual and household." He dismissed the notion that high hardware requirements justify high technical skill requirements, insisting that "nodes should be easy."
This push for simplification is part of a broader effort to combat centralization pressures. Buterin warned that a market dominated by a few RPC providers faces "strong pressure to deplatform or censor users," noting that many already exclude entire countries. The proposal aligns with his previous advocacy for partially stateless nodes, a concept he introduced in May 2025. These nodes would not maintain the full blockchain history, significantly reducing hardware and storage costs for personal use, with disk space being the primary bottleneck according to Go-Ethereum (GETH).
Buterin's vision is to expand Ethereum node access globally, enabling developers, researchers, and everyday enthusiasts in emerging markets with standard hardware to participate. He believes that when more individuals can independently verify transactions, the network becomes more resilient, harder to censor, and truly decentralized, which is foundational to Ethereum's goal of being a decentralized financial and computing system.
