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In a recent interview, Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin tackled the hot topic of “Solana vs. Ethereum.” According to Buterin, while Solana boasts high-speed transactions, its Proof of Stake (PoS) model is more centralized compared to Ethereum’s. This is because running a Solana node is complex, and community projects often receive support from the Solana Foundation.
So, why does decentralization matter? Buterin highlighted that Ethereum’s mission is long-term commitment to decentralization, neutrality, and security—qualities it values over raw transaction speed. With Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Base, users can enjoy high-speed transactions while Layer 1 (L1) remains focused on decentralization.
Ethereum has tackled past centralization challenges, such as its former dependency on Geth and Prysm clients, which now hold less than 52% of the network share, and has shown resilience in maintaining neutrality amid censorship concerns, such as the Tornado Cash controversy.
Buterin acknowledged that Ethereum L1 may not be ideal for high-performance applications like gaming, where speed is crucial. However, by relying on L2 solutions, Ethereum offers both security and efficiency, giving users the best of both worlds.
On Solana’s collaboration with big companies for initiatives like DePIN, Buterin mentioned it as an innovative approach but noted its reduced focus on decentralization. For applications that prioritize high speed over decentralization, Solana may be an appealing choice, while Ethereum remains the go-to platform for those who value a secure, neutral, and decentralized
network.
