Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has recently proposed a set of metrics to measure how aligned projects are with Ethereum’s values, emphasizing the importance of Ethereum alignment in creating a cohesive ecosystem.
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The Challenge of Ethereum Alignment
In his latest blog post on September 28, Buterin highlighted that achieving Ethereum alignment remains one of the most critical social challenges in the Ethereum ecosystem. With a vast array of client teams, application developers, researchers, and local communities, each contributing uniquely, the primary challenge is ensuring that all these projects collectively build something that feels like one Ethereum ecosystem, rather than a fragmented collection of incompatible fiefdoms.
Metrics for Alignment
Buterin suggested several starting points for measuring Ethereum alignment, including:
- Open-Source: Projects should be open-source to allow code inspection for security purposes, reduce the risk of proprietary lock-in, and enable third-party improvements.
- Interoperability: Applications and wallets could be rated based on their compatibility with various ERC standards, ensuring seamless interaction within the Ethereum ecosystem.
- Decentralization and Security: Projects should pass the “walkaway” and “insider attack” tests:
- Walkaway Test: If the team and servers disappear tomorrow, will the application still be usable?
- Insider Attack Test: If the team itself tries to attack the system, how much will break, and how much harm could be done?
- Community and Humanity Impact: Projects should be judged on their positive impact on the Ethereum community or humanity, such as improving financial inclusion and enabling new public funding mechanisms.
Credible Neutrality
Buterin stressed the importance of Ethereum remaining credibly neutral. He warned that if alignment means having the right friends, then the concept of alignment has failed. The goal is to create an ecosystem where projects are judged on their merits and contributions to the broader community, not on their political or social connections.
The Role of Marketing
In July, Ethereum community member Ryan Berckmans emphasized the importance of limiting marketing efforts. While marketing can be good for growth, it can also create a politically charged environment where winners and losers emerge. This could hinder serious growth and adoption by corporations and governments for important on-chain activities.
The Influence of Vitalik Buterin
Buterin’s influence in the Ethereum ecosystem is undeniable. In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, remarked that Ethereum might be relying too heavily on Buterin for direction. Hoskinson noted that if Buterin were removed from the equation, it could raise questions about the future roadmap and hard forks.
He explained that open source means code can be inspected for security purposes, but it also reduces the risk of proprietary lock-in and allows third parties to make improvements. Then, there’s how interoperable a project is, with Buterin suggesting that applications and wallets could be rated by which ERCs they are compatible with.
Meanwhile, decentralization and security could also be measured by the “walkaway” and “insider attack” tests:
“If your team and servers disappear tomorrow, will your application still be usable?”
“If your team itself tries to attack the system, how much will break, and how much harm could you do,” he explained. A project could also be judged on how positive it is for the Ethereum community or humanity — for example, improving financial inclusion and enabling new public funding mechanisms, he continued.
Conclusion
The proposal for metrics to measure Ethereum alignment underscores the need for a unified and cohesive ecosystem. By focusing on open-source, interoperability, decentralization, security, and positive community impact, Ethereum projects can strive towards building a collective ecosystem that aligns with Ethereum’s values. Stay tuned to Crypto Newz Alert for the latest updates and insights on the Ethereum ecosystem and the broader cryptocurrency market.
