Vitalik: Ethereum will refocus on autonomy and decentralization in 2026

Vitalik Buterin posted on social media that 2026 will be a key year for Ethereum to regain lost ground in self-sovereignty and trustlessness. The plans include simplifying node operation through ZK-EVM and BAL technology, launching Helios to verify RPC data, implementing ORAM and PIR technology to protect user privacy, developing social recovery wallets and time-lock features to enhance fund security, and improving on-chain UI and IPFS applications. Buterin emphasized that Ethereum will correct the compromises made in the past decade regarding node operation, application decentralization, and data privacy, refocusing on core values. Although this will be a long process, it will make the Ethereum ecosystem stronger.