Crypto Insights: Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin Discusses Protocol Alterations and Staking Concerns

Crypto Insights: Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin Discusses Protocol Alterations and Staking Concerns

Crypto News – Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently shared his perspectives on potential modifications to the Ethereum staking system, encompassing the integration of various protocols into Ethereum’s code. In a detailed blog post, Buterin delved into protocols like ERC-4337 ZK-EVMs, private mempools, code precompiles, and liquid staking. Nonetheless, he voiced apprehensions about the centralization of power within Ethereum’s liquid staking providers.

Buterin leaned towards integrating specific protocols into Ethereum’s code, especially emphasizing ERC-4337. This token standard, which he co-authored, introduces account abstraction without altering the underlying Ethereum protocol. Conversely, he exercised caution regarding others, such as private mempools – encrypted mempools that maintain transaction confidentiality until their irreversible inclusion in a block. He acknowledged the evolving and intricate trade-offs posed by these protocols.

Furthermore, Buterin expressed worry about the concentration of Ethereum’s liquid staking providers. Notably, Lido, a significant liquid staking pool, presently governs over 32% of the staked ether on Ethereum, distributed across diverse validators. Despite safety mechanisms implemented by major players like Lido and Rocket Pool (NASDAQ: POOL), Buterin stressed the need for more robust measures.

In the pursuit of bolstering safety and decentralization in liquid staking, Buterin advocated exploring additional solutions beyond relying solely on moralistic pressure to encourage stakeholders to diversify their staking providers. These solutions could involve refining RocketPool’s existing approach or endowing enhanced governance rights to a randomly selected committee of minor stakeholders.

Several prominent liquid staking providers have taken steps to implement a self-limit rule, aiming to preserve Ethereum’s decentralized nature. This rule dictates that these providers will not accumulate more than 22% of the Ethereum staking market, addressing concerns about mounting centralization. However, Lido Finance has chosen not to commit to this self-limit rule.

Shifting gears, Ethereum (ETH) has seen a 3.5% price surge in the past 24 hours, propelling it to the $1,750 level in anticipation of the launch of Ethereum futures ETFs. A successful breach of the major resistance level at $1,800 could set the stage for further upward movement, targeting $1,850 and $1,920, and potentially aiming for $2,000. Conversely, if Ethereum fails to surpass the $1,750 resistance, it may initiate a corrective move, finding initial support around the $1,710 level.

The Ethereum futures ETF from Bitwise is slated to go live later today. As of the note on September 27, there are 15 Ether futures ETFs from nine different issuers awaiting approval. These issuers encompass well-known names like VanEck, ProShares, Grayscale, Volatility Shares, Bitwise, Direxion, and Roundhill. Analysts have assigned a 90% likelihood of Ether futures ETFs launching in October. Notably, among these offerings, Valkyrie’s Bitcoin futures product is anticipated to be the first to include exposure to Ether starting on October 3rd.