Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a groundbreaking proposal to replace Ethereum’s existing Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with the RISC-V instruction set architecture. The initiative aims to dramatically enhance network performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness across the blockchain.
Adopting RISC-V—an open-source, register-based architecture optimized for high-performance computing—could boost Ethereum’s execution capacity by an estimated 100 times compared to the current stack-based EVM. This leap would significantly reduce transaction costs and attract a broader ecosystem of developers seeking efficient computation environments.
The transition aligns with Ethereum’s open-source principles and addresses scalability at the base layer, potentially reducing long-term reliance on Layer 2 solutions. Buterin emphasized that optimized base-layer throughput could democratize access to Ethereum, lowering barriers for developers and users while fostering innovation across decentralized applications.
Implementation faces challenges including secure migration of existing smart contracts and development of new tooling. Buterin outlined an estimated 18-month preparatory phase to address technical hurdles, security audits, and ecosystem readiness before full deployment. The proposal underscores Ethereum’s commitment to evolving foundational infrastructure for sustainable growth.