Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a bold architectural shift to revive Ethereum’s execution layer, advocating for the integration of RISC-V, a free, open-standard processor instruction set known for its efficiency, flexibility, and adaptability.
Buterin’s proposal, unveiled in April 2025, suggests phasing out Ethereum’s current EVM-based (Ethereum Virtual Machine) contract language in favor of upgradeable versions based on RISC-V architecture. The aim? To address deep-rooted scalability and performance challenges that continue to hamper Ethereum’s growth and competitiveness.
Ethereum’s Bottlenecks and Execution Layer Crisis
According to Buterin, Ethereum faces major execution layer hurdles:
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Poor availability sampling
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Limited competition among block producers
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Lackluster improvements in zero-knowledge (ZK) proving systems
“The beam chain initiative is a very promising way to simplify the consensus layer… But radical changes like RISC-V may be the only way to drive execution layer improvements,” Buterin stated.
ZK-proofs, which allow private and low-cost transactions, have matured—but Buterin believes Ethereum must take “radical steps” to stay ahead of next-gen blockchains like Solana and Sui, known for lightning-fast execution and minimal latency.
Fee Collapse and Economic Struggles Threaten Ethereum’s Future
Ethereum’s move comes at a time when its core revenue is under severe pressure. In April 2025, base layer transaction fees averaged just $0.16—the lowest since 2020. Even more concerning: blob fees from Layer-2 networks (used to scale Ethereum) plummeted 95%, totaling just 3.18 ETH (~$5,000) in the last week of March.
“It’s not just economic factors,” said Brian Quinlivan of Santiment. “Users are shifting to Layer-2s like Arbitrum and Optimism for speed and cost.”
But while Layer-2s drive efficiency, they also cannibalize Ethereum’s base layer, reducing demand for standard on-chain transactions and weakening Ethereum’s financial sustainability.
Community Reaction: Hope and Hesitation
The Ethereum community is divided. Some developers view Buterin’s RISC-V plan as an ambitious leap forward—a necessity to compete with Solana’s blazing transaction speeds and emerging ecosystems like Sui.
Others warn of major risks:
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RISC-V implementation would mean rebuilding large portions of Ethereum
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Migration of existing smart contracts could break backward compatibility
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The overhaul could take years and open new security vulnerabilities
Despite the split views, the Ethereum community has initiated a draft proposal for public comment. If accepted, the network may embark on one of the most radical technical evolutions since its inception.
Ethereum’s Crossroads: Evolve or Fall Behind
Buterin’s proposal arrives during a crucial moment for Ethereum, as investor confidence shakes and some analysts warn ETH prices could dip toward $1,100 if base layer utility continues to drop.
Still, Ethereum’s core mission of decentralization and innovation remains intact. This RISC-V proposal may represent the network’s best shot at remaining a leader as blockchain technology matures rapidly around it.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and risky. Always conduct your research before making any investment decisions.
