Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed merging the Beacon Chain and execution layer codebases into a single unified system, simplifying node setup for validators. Currently, running an Ethereum node requires managing two separate programs, creating high technical barriers that favor professionals over average users.
Buterin argues that running a node should be accessible to every household, not just experts. 'The hardware requirement is high, therefore it's okay for the DevOps skill and time requirements to also be high,' is not an excuse, he stated.
He previously proposed partially stateless nodes in May 2025-nodes that store only essential blockchain data, reducing storage demands. This design lowers entry costs and supports wider participation.
Centralized RPC providers pose censorship risks; Buterin warns that reliance on a few services enables deplatforming. He also allocated $45 million in ETH toward privacy tech, open hardware, and secure software earlier this year.