Vitalik Buterin Proposes Ethereum Shift to RISC-V

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, proposed a transition from Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM) to the RISC-V instruction set during Berlin Blockchain Week in June 2025.

This proposal could dramatically alter Ethereum’s efficiency, affecting Layer 2 networks and EVM-compatible altcoins while engaging the broader blockchain community.

Vitalik Buterin Advocates RISC-V for Ethereum

Vitalik Buterin, pivotal in Ethereum’s ongoing technical evolution, has proposed replacing its current EVM with RISC-V, an open-source hardware instruction set, indicating a strategic push for a more efficient platform. Buterin introduced this idea at Protocol Berg during Berlin Blockchain Week. The goal is to increase Ethereum’s execution capacity significantly, potentially revolutionizing how developers interact with the platform.

“I have seen numbers that this would get you a 100x increase in the amount of execution that can happen.”

Potential Ripple Effects Across DeFi Ecosystems

Ethereum’s architectural shift could impact numerous decentralized finance ecosystems, forcing adjustments across reliant platforms. The community’s response remains mixed, with enthusiasm for potential efficiency gains amid concerns over technical transitions. Financial analysts predict temporary volatility in Ethereum-based assets following previous upgrade patterns. Regulatory perspectives remain unclear, but technological shifts are anticipated to influence Ethereum’s competitive market standing substantially.

Historical Precedents and Future Predictions

Previous large-scale Ethereum upgrades have led to temporary volatility and rapid adaptation in decentralized finance. The RISC-V proposal may introduce similar transitional challenges for the blockchain ecosystem. Experts from Kanalcoin suggest careful monitoring of on-chain developer activity and GitHub contributions. Historical data indicates efficiency gains could bolster Ethereum’s cryptographic capabilities, enhancing appeal to non-EVM developers significantly.

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