Ethereum is sharpening its focus on what decentralized finance (DeFi) should really stand for: open access, strong security, and real privacy.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has laid out a clear message. DeFi must be permissionless. It must reduce reliance on middlemen. And it must survive even if the original team disappears.
A new standard: the “walkaway test”
Buterin introduced what he calls the “walkaway test.”
The idea is simple:
If the founding team walks away — or even turns hostile — the protocol should still work.
No shutdown. No emergency control by insiders. No hidden kill switch.
If a project depends too much on a small group of people, it fails the test.
Less trust, more code
The Ethereum Foundation said it will support projects that:
- Are open-source
- Put users in control
- Minimize trusted third parties
- Avoid central chokepoints
In short, fewer gatekeepers. More transparency.
Buterin made it clear that not every crypto finance project will get backing. Only those that truly follow these principles.
Oracles: a weak link
One major risk area? Oracles.
Oracles connect blockchains to real-world data like prices. If they are weak or centralized, they can be manipulated. That can lead to massive losses in DeFi systems.
Buterin warned that oracle infrastructure needs stronger decentralization. Without secure data feeds, the whole system becomes fragile.
Privacy is not optional
Privacy is another top priority.
Buterin said financial tools — especially complex ones like collateralized debt positions (CDPs) — need stronger privacy features. Without privacy, users can face unnecessary liquidation risks or exposure.
The goal is to build systems where users have control without sacrificing safety.
Smarter security tools
Security remains a major concern.
The roadmap includes:
- Stronger audits
- Shared safety standards
- Better wallet protections
- AI-assisted formal verification to catch smart contract bugs before they cause damage
The message is clear: DeFi must be secure by design, not patched after failures.
Back to basics
Buterin also urged developers to think bigger. Instead of just improving stablecoins, he wants innovation around real financial problems — like protecting against future expenses or managing risk more effectively.
Ethereum will remain permissionless. Anyone can build on it.
But the Foundation is drawing a line. The future of DeFi, in its view, must be open, private, secure — and strong enough to stand on its own, even if the builders walk away.
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