Vitalik Buterin Highlights Essential Role of Independent Stakers in Ethereum Network at Singapore Summit

On September 24, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin conveyed insights from his recent fireside chat at the Singapore Home Staking Summit via social media, where he addressed the inherent value of independent stakers, which include small businesses and community contributors, within the Ethereum network. Buterin expounded on how Layer 1 (L1) modifications might better bolster these stakers.

Vitalik emphasized that independent stakers serve as both the “first line of defense” by providing anti-censorship measures and the “last line of defense” by countering 67% of the incorrect confirmation chain. Their lack of affiliation with major institutions makes them less susceptible to regulatory capture, thereby enhancing Ethereum’s trustworthiness as a neutral blockchain.

He proposed elevating the required validator ratio from 67% to 85% to increase the network’s security. However, he acknowledged that this adjustment might pose new challenges, specifically by lowering the expense of attacks that obstruct final confirmation. Vitalik suggested reassessing the current security strategy, noting that the existing threshold suggests potential over-investment in countering frontal assaults just above 33%. Consequently, he recommended resource reallocation to enhance defenses against attacks exceeding 66% of staked ETH.

Buterin stressed the crucial role of boosting the number of independent stakers, ensuring it remains a focal element of the current confirmation thresholds. He explored potential Layer 1 adjustments aimed at better promoting and sustaining independent staking initiatives within the Ethereum ecosystem.