Ethereum (ETH) Nodes Could Run on Mobile Devices, Says Vitalik Buterin
In a recent speech at Korea Blockchain Week, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin discussed the centralization issues surrounding Ethereum nodes. Currently, the majority of active Ethereum nodes are run on centralized platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS). Buterin acknowledged that this poses a challenge to the network’s goal of decentralization.
However, Buterin believes that in the future, Ethereum nodes could become so lightweight that they can be run on mobile devices. This would be a significant step towards decentralization.
Solving the Centralization Problem
Buterin emphasized the importance of addressing the centralization problem to achieve a more decentralized Ethereum. He stated that making it technically easier for people to run nodes is crucial, and one solution lies in the concept of “statelessness.”
By implementing stateless clients, the storage space required to run nodes could be reduced to almost zero. This would eliminate the need for reliance on centralized service providers.
A Long-Term Goal
While achieving statelessness is a long-term goal for the Ethereum Foundation, Buterin acknowledged that it may take several years to find a solution. He estimates a timeline of 10 to 20 years.
Hot Take
Vitalik Buterin’s vision of lightweight Ethereum nodes running on mobile devices could revolutionize the cryptocurrency landscape, enabling greater decentralization and accessibility.