What to know:
- Vitalik compares Ethereum to BitTorrent for showing how decentralization can scale globally.
- He also likens Ethereum to Linux, which is open, free, and trusted by enterprises and governments.
- Ethereum L1 aims to give users full autonomy while still supporting large-scale, real-world use.
Vitalik Buterin recently shared a simple but powerful way to understand what Ethereum is trying to become. In a post today, he said Ethereum is like a mix of BitTorrent level decentralization and Linux level trust. His message was decentralization does not have to stay small or niche. It can scale to billions of users and still earn the trust of companies, institutions, and even governments.
Ethereum as BitTorrent
Many people associate BitTorrent only with piracy, but that view misses the bigger picture. BitTorrent is simply a tool to move large files across the internet without relying on one central server.
Over the years, BitTorrent has been used legally by game companies, social media firms, non-profits, and even governments. Blizzard uses it to deliver game updates. Facebook and Twitter have used it internally to move large files. The Internet Archive relies on it to share massive public data. Governments have used it to release large datasets to the public. What makes BitTorrent special is that it works at a huge scale while staying decentralized. There is no single point of control, yet it still delivers speed, reliability, and global reach.
Vitalik said Ethereum wants to achieve something similar but instead of sharing files, Ethereum focuses on agreement and coordination. He added, “how that p2p network combines decentralization and mass scale. Ethereum’s goal is to do the same thing but with consensus.”
Ethereum as Linux
Linux is free and open-source software. Anyone can use it, study it, or build on top of it. It does not compromise on openness and yet it runs much of the modern world. Billions of people depend on Linux without even realizing it. Most servers, cloud systems, and many government systems run on Linux. There are also many versions of Linux. Some are built for everyday users, while others are very minimal and powerful, designed for people who want full control.
This is the model Ethereum wants to follow. It aims to be open and neutral at its core, while allowing many different applications and systems to grow on top of it some built for mass use, others built for people who value independence and control.
Autonomy without Middlemen
Vitalik stressed that Ethereum’s main network should act as a financial and infrastructure home for people and organizations that want a high level of freedom. That means users should be able to access the full power of the network without relying on banks, platforms, or other intermediaries.
At the same time, this does not mean Ethereum must stay small or difficult to use. Linux shows that openness and freedom can exist alongside wide adoption. In fact, many large organizations actively prefer open systems because they reduce dependency on any single company or provider.
What crypto users call “trustless,” enterprises often describe as “reducing counterparty risk.” The goal is the same: fewer weak points, fewer gatekeepers, and more resilience. In his words,” We must make sure that Ethereum L1 works as the financial (and ultimately identity, social, governance…) home for individuals and organizations who want the higher level of autonomy, and give them access to the full power of the network without dependence on intermediaries… This is the gwei.”
Why This Matters
Ethereum’s long-term goal is not just about money. Vitalik hinted that the network could also support identity, social systems, and governance in the future. By staying open and decentralized at its base, Ethereum hopes to support many different use cases without losing its core values.
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