In early January 2026, the crypto space was suddenly abuzz following a short thread from Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin. This was no ordinary thread, as Vitalik delivered an important claim that immediately caught the attention of the crypto community:
“The trilemma has been solved – not on paper, but with live running code, of which one half (data availability sampling) is on mainnet today, and the other half (ZK-EVMs) is production-quality on performance today – safety is what remains.”
For the crypto community, this was clearly no minor update. For years, the blockchain trilemma—security, decentralization, and scalability—was widely seen as impossible to solve simultaneously. According to Vitalik, Ethereum has now moved beyond theory, with real-world implementations already running on the mainnet. So what exactly does this mean?
From Theory to Live, Running Code
Vitalik explained that Ethereum is now built on two key technological pillars:
1. PeerDAS Is Live on Mainnet
Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS) allows Ethereum to handle massive amounts of data without overburdening individual nodes. Data can be distributed across many nodes, keeping the network lightweight while significantly improving scalability.
2. ZK-EVM Reaches Production Readiness
ZK-EVM technology has matured enough for large-scale use. Transaction validation, which previously took much longer, can now be completed far more efficiently—often within seconds.
The combination of these two technologies is the main reason Vitalik believes the blockchain trilemma is no longer a major obstacle.
Ethereum Now Resembles “BitTorrent with Consensus”
One of Vitalik’s most compelling analogies was his comparison of Ethereum to “BitTorrent with consensus.”
In essence, Ethereum can now distribute data across many participants like a large-scale file-sharing network, while still maintaining strong security guarantees and collective agreement through consensus. This stands in contrast to older systems that may be highly secure but struggle to scale data throughput efficiently.
In simple terms, Ethereum is no longer just secure—it’s also highly adaptable.
Roadmap to 2030 and Ethereum’s ‘Holy Grail’
Vitalik also outlined Ethereum’s future direction, not just its current state.
- Short-Term Target (2026). Ethereum will focus on increasing the gas limit and improving block efficiency. The goal is to further reduce transaction fees and make the network more user-friendly.
- Long-Term Vision: Distributed Block Building. This is what Vitalik refers to as the “holy grail.” The idea is to fully decentralize block construction so that no single entity can dominate the process. If achieved, transaction censorship would become nearly impossible.
A New Standard for Ethereum Apps: The Walkaway Test
Vitalik also introduced the concept of the “Walkaway Test.” Simply put, a blockchain application is considered truly successful if it can continue operating normally even after its developers walk away or disappear. If an application survives without a central figure, that is where real decentralization is proven.
Why This Thread Matters for the Crypto Industry
Vitalik’s statement serves as a strong signal that the technical barriers holding back mass crypto adoption over the past decade are beginning to fall. If these live implementations remain stable and consistent, Ethereum could evolve beyond a speculative asset into global infrastructure—comparable to major payment networks, but without centralized control.
Crypto Sectors Most Affected
Several sectors and tokens are expected to benefit from this development:
1. ZK Rollups – ZKSync, POL, STRK, SCR
If ZK systems become the standard on Ethereum, these blockchains are likely to gain greater relevance.
2. Optimistic Rollups – OP, ARB
With ongoing upgrades reducing transaction costs, activity and revenue across OP-based Layer 2 networks could increase.
3. Hybrid Rollups – METIS
This Ethereum Layer 2 uses both OP and ZK rollups, allowing it to benefit from the strengths of both approaches.
4. Data Availability – EIGEN, TIA
Many Ethereum-based projects are increasingly relying on these networks for data availability.
In short, what Vitalik has outlined is far more than optimistic rhetoric. If the promise of “live running code” continues to hold up in practice, Ethereum may be entering the most mature phase in its history.
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