New Ethereum Proposal Improves Accessibility and Cost of Running a Node

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, is determined to make it easier for regular users to run Ethereum nodes. His proposal to simplify synchronization with the network makes it possible to do this with common consumer hardware. This is a meaningful step towards a more inclusive and accessible blockchain environment.

Lighten the burden on users

On Ethereum, anyone can build a node on any computer capable of running the necessary software. These nodes share and verify data, validating transactions and ensuring the security of Ethereum. Having a full node allows users to maintain a local server that functions as the Ethereum server itself. This gives them the ability to blockchain in a secure, censorship-free, and privacy-preserving way. This sounds ideal, but the reality is that running a full node currently means storing over 1,3 terabytes of data. This is simply not feasible for most people without powerful hardware or cloud solutions.

A breath of fresh air in the blockchain world

Buterin acknowledges that the current overhead is too high to be practical. Instead of storing all of the blockchain data, nodes would retain only the parts they need, while older data is distributed across multiple nodes for shared storage. This is reminiscent of a library system: you don’t need to have every book in your local library if you can request them from other libraries as needed.

In 2023, Buterin has further refined his vision, advocating for the ability to run fully authenticated Ethereum nodes on mainstream consumer hardware, such as smartphones. This could take years, but the goal is clear: a localized approach where nodes only track what matters to the user. This would allow users to query specific information without having to track the entire global state of Ethereum.

Risks of centralization and censorship

Another important aspect of his proposal is that he fears that the dependency on a few dominant providers brings with it the risks of censorship. If the Ethereum market is set up like this, there will be pressure to censor or deplatform users. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the possibilities to run personal nodes more easily.

People like Michael Cameron, co-founder of Vanilla Finance, have called Buterin's ideas refreshing. While the latest technologies rely on Ethereum and privacy offer, challenges remain. In particular, the complexity of selecting necessary states and fallback options must be carefully considered. The success of shared storage depends on sufficient participation of nodes to ensure data availability.

A road to walk

Still, these developments and ideas are definitely worth exploring further. The result may well lead to a future where Ethereum is more accessible and secure for a wider audience. And who knows, maybe this battle will be the start of a decentralization revolution in the blockchain world!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is running a full Ethereum node so difficult right now?
Running a full node requires you to store over 1,3 terabytes of data, which excludes many users without powerful hardware or cloud solutions.

What is the purpose of Buterin's proposal?
The goal is to make Ethereum nodes more accessible by allowing them to track only the relevant data for each user, rather than storing the entire blockchain.

How can decentralization be ensured within Ethereum?
Decentralization can be enhanced by ensuring that sufficient nodes participate and that they are geographically distributed, thus reducing the risks of centralization and censorship.