TLDR
- Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, challenges Vitalik Buterin’s vision for Ethereum’s long-term development.
- Yakovenko argues that blockchain protocols must constantly evolve to meet the needs of developers and users.
- Solana CEO stresses that stopping updates to a blockchain protocol could lead to its decline and eventual failure.
- Yakovenko outlines Solana’s approach of continuous iteration, focusing on real issues faced by developers and users.
- Vitalik Buterin defends Ethereum’s concept of ossification, claiming it can function effectively without mandatory upgrades.
Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, has questioned the long-term blockchain vision of Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin. The debate began after Buterin claimed Ethereum had passed the “walkaway test,” suggesting that Ethereum could function indefinitely without further updates. Yakovenko responded by arguing that blockchain protocols must continuously evolve to meet the demands of developers and users, or they risk becoming obsolete.
Yakovenko Critiques Ethereum’s Vision of Ossification
Yakovenko took issue with Buterin’s idea that Ethereum could reach a state of “ossification,” where no further updates would be needed. He believes this approach contradicts the needs of a growing and changing ecosystem. “If a protocol stops iterating, it will die,” Yakovenko stated, emphasizing that constant evolution is crucial for survival.
I actually think fairly differently on this. Solana needs to never stop iterating. It shouldn’t depend on any single group or individual to do so, but if it ever stops changing to fit the needs of its devs and users, it will die.
It needs to be so materially useful to humans… https://t.co/itqr1b5az4
— toly 🇺🇸 (@toly) January 17, 2026
The Solana co-founder further explained that the future of blockchain technology hinges on its ability to stay useful and adaptable. He warned that if Ethereum or any other blockchain stops improving, it would fail to meet new challenges and risks stagnating. “Protocols must continuously evolve,” he added, stressing that Solana would need to keep adapting to thrive.
Yakovenko outlined his vision for Solana, emphasizing that the blockchain needs to stay relevant to developers and users. He sees the future of Solana as one where developers can earn from transactions while contributing improvements to the network. This open-source approach, according to Yakovenko, will ensure that the network remains dynamic and responsive to new demands.
However, Yakovenko also made it clear that not every change should be accepted. He advocated for a selective approach to protocol upgrades, focusing only on solving real problems. Changes should target tangible issues faced by developers and users, rather than responding to every suggestion.
Vitalik Buterin Defends Ethereum’s Direction
In response, Vitalik Buterin argued that Ethereum’s primary role is to support decentralized applications in areas like finance and governance. He believes these applications require a trustless environment and that Ethereum must embody this principle. According to Buterin, a truly trustless system cannot depend on continuous updates from developers or vendors.
Buterin clarified that the concept of ossification doesn’t mean halting all development. Instead, it refers to reaching a stage where Ethereum can operate effectively without constant upgrades. The idea is to build a stable foundation that remains functional and secure over time.
