Buterin urges bold app experiments, Ethereum base layer stays untouched
Buterin calls for bold, privacy‑first app experiments; keeps Ethereum L1 “CROPS” intact
Vitalik Buterin urged bolder app‑layer experimentation on Ethereum while keeping the base layer unchanged. He posted the call on March 5 on X here.
He doubled down after warning against a memecoin and yield‑farming “casino” earlier. The message now: protect core guarantees, rethink the application stack.
“We should not compromise on core properties: censorship resistance, open source, privacy, security (CROPS).” Source
He asks builders to rebuild for privacy first. L2s, wallets, DeFi, oracles, even future AI agents, often re‑centralize risk today. He wants AI‑native, privacy‑preserving apps that still inherit cryptographic guarantees from L1 post.
- Keep L1 security and predictability. No changes that weaken CROPS post.
- Push radical experiments to the app layer and L2s. Ensure full trustless inheritance from L1 post.
- Prioritize privacy‑first design across the stack. Build beyond DeFi‑only use cases post.
He also criticizes the short‑term “casino” culture. He cites Milady‑era, meme‑driven speculation that values attention over utility for people under capital controls or censorship thread context.
“Rip off the suit and tie… reclaim your body’s full flexibility and freedom.” Source
His end goal is clear. Treat L1 as untouchable public infrastructure. Make the big bets in privacy‑first, AI‑native apps and on L2s, while preserving Ethereum’s trustless core post.
