Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a strategic proposal aimed at enhancing the network’s transaction efficiency amid growing competition from high-performance blockchains like Solana. By optimizing Ethereum’s gas fee structure, Buterin believes the network can achieve a 1.5x increase in transactions per second (TPS)—a significant upgrade that could reinforce Ethereum’s position as a leading smart contract platform.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as Solana recently surpassed Ethereum in daily gas fee revenue, driven by a surge in AI-powered meme coin activity. Buterin’s plan focuses on targeted adjustments rather than sweeping overhauls, ensuring performance gains without compromising security or decentralization.
Optimizing Gas Costs for Greater Efficiency
At the heart of Buterin’s proposal is a revision of gas costs for key operations within the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). These adjustments are designed to reduce computational overhead and make transactions more cost-effective, ultimately enabling higher throughput.
Buterin specifically recommends:
- Reducing the gas cost of EVM opcodes currently priced between 2–5 to just 1
- Lowering opcodes in the 6–10 range down to 2
- Cutting log operation costs by 75% (4x reduction)
- Reducing gas fees for precompiled contracts—excluding those slated for deprecation
“I think my ideal is deep but selective cuts: reduce the gas cost of every EVM opcode that's currently in the 2-5 range to 1, and in the 6-10 range to 2; cut gas cost of log by 4x; cut gas cost of precompiles (except the ones we want to retire). Can probably get 1.5x TPS…”
— Vitalik Buterin, October 24, 2024
These changes aim to streamline execution efficiency across the network. By lowering the cost of frequently used operations, developers can deploy more complex smart contracts without incurring prohibitive fees, while users benefit from faster and cheaper transactions.
Importantly, Buterin emphasized that these modifications would not introduce major risks—such as bloated call data or excessive I/O demands—that could destabilize node performance. This balance between innovation and stability is central to Ethereum’s long-term scalability roadmap.
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Solana’s Rise and the Pressure on Ethereum
The timing of Buterin’s proposal is no coincidence. Solana has emerged as a formidable competitor, particularly in the realm of high-frequency decentralized applications and meme coins. In late 2024, Solana briefly overtook Ethereum in daily transaction fee revenue, fueled by viral projects like Goatseus Maximus (GOAT) and other AI-themed tokens.
Solana’s architecture—built for speed with low-latency consensus and parallel execution—allows it to process thousands of transactions per second at minimal cost. While Ethereum prioritizes security and decentralization over raw speed, it must continue evolving to retain developer mindshare and user engagement.
Buterin’s gas optimization plan represents a pragmatic response: instead of chasing Solana’s TPS numbers directly, Ethereum is refining its economic model to deliver better performance within its existing consensus framework.
This approach aligns with Ethereum’s broader philosophy—gradual, secure upgrades that preserve network integrity while incrementally improving usability and scalability.
The Verge Upgrade: Making Nodes Accessible to All
Beyond gas optimizations, Buterin recently shed light on The Verge, the next major phase in Ethereum’s multi-year upgrade journey. This upgrade targets one of the most persistent barriers to decentralization: the growing hardware requirements for running full nodes.
Currently, operating an Ethereum node requires hundreds of gigabytes of state data—a burden that excludes many users, especially those relying on mobile or lightweight devices.
To solve this, The Verge introduces stateless verification, a breakthrough that allows nodes to validate transactions without storing the entire blockchain state. Instead, they use cryptographic proofs (witnesses) to verify relevant data on-demand.
Key Benefits of Stateless Verification:
- Enables smartphones, smartwatches, and browser wallets to run full validators
- Reduces storage and bandwidth demands for solo stakers
- Enhances network resilience by increasing node distribution
- Lowers entry barriers for new participants
This shift could democratize node operation, making Ethereum more accessible and censorship-resistant. It also complements ongoing layer-2 scaling efforts by ensuring the base layer remains robust and decentralized.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does a 1.5x TPS increase mean for Ethereum users?
A: A 50% boost in transaction throughput means faster confirmations and lower fees during peak usage. Users will experience smoother interactions with dApps, DeFi platforms, and NFT marketplaces.
Q: Will reducing gas costs affect Ethereum’s security?
A: Not significantly. Buterin’s proposal targets underpriced opcodes and redundant costs—not core security mechanisms. The changes are designed to reflect actual computational costs more accurately.
Q: How does The Verge upgrade improve decentralization?
A: By enabling lightweight devices to run full nodes, The Verge reduces reliance on centralized infrastructure. More independent validators mean a more resilient and distributed network.
Q: Is Ethereum trying to compete directly with Solana?
A: Not head-on. Ethereum focuses on being secure, decentralized, and developer-friendly. Rather than matching Solana’s speed exactly, it aims to offer superior long-term sustainability and ecosystem depth.
Q: When will these gas changes take effect?
A: The proposal is still under discussion. Implementation would require a network upgrade via an EIP (Ethereum Improvement Proposal) and broad community consensus.
Q: Can average users run nodes after The Verge upgrade?
A: Yes—that’s the goal. With stateless verification, even mobile wallets could perform full validation, empowering users to verify the chain independently without trusting third parties.
Ethereum’s Path Forward
While short-term metrics like daily fees may favor faster chains, Ethereum continues to lead in total value locked (TVL), developer activity, and institutional adoption. Buterin’s dual focus—on immediate gas optimizations and long-term architectural upgrades—reflects a balanced strategy for sustained leadership.
The proposed gas reductions offer near-term relief for users and developers, while The Verge lays the foundation for a more inclusive and scalable future. Together, they underscore Ethereum’s commitment to evolving without sacrificing its core principles.
As the blockchain space matures, efficiency, accessibility, and trust will become increasingly important. Ethereum’s methodical approach positions it well to meet these challenges head-on.
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Conclusion
Vitalik Buterin’s latest proposals highlight Ethereum’s adaptive strength in a rapidly changing ecosystem. By fine-tuning gas costs and advancing upgrades like The Verge, Ethereum is not just responding to competition—it’s redefining what scalability means in a decentralized world.
With a clear vision for both performance and inclusivity, Ethereum remains at the forefront of blockchain innovation, building toward a future where speed, security, and decentralization coexist.
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