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Vitalik Buterin proposes major Ethereum change – Critics warn of risks

By Ishika Kumari · Published March 16, 2026 · 3 min read · Source: AMBCrypto
Ethereum
Written by Written by Ishika Kumari Reviewed by Reviewed by Saman Waris Updated 19:30 IST March 16, 2026 Share Share
Vitalik Buterin proposes major Ethereum change - Critics warn of risks

Ethereum [ETH] currently works like a system with two separate engines. Users need to run both a beacon client and an execution client for the network to function properly.

This setup was introduced when Ethereum moved to Proof-of-Stake, but it has also made things more complicated for users.

Now, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is suggesting that the system could be simplified by combining these two parts into a single structure. 

Buterin said

Running two daemons and getting them to talk to each other is far more difficult than running one daemon.

This could make it easier for people to run nodes, but this idea has also started a big debate about network security.

Critics are questioning this idea

Some experts say the current system, where the Consensus Layer (CL) and Execution Layer (EL) are separate, is safer.

This is because users can combine different software clients, which helps prevent the whole network from failing if one client has a bug.

However, critics worry that only a few all-in-one clients may dominate, which could make the network more vulnerable if something goes wrong.

Is Ethereum giving strong competition to Bitcoin?

At the same time, Ethereum treasury companies have surged to an all-time high.

Ethereum Treasury Companies hit ATH
Source: Rand Group/X

In just one year, institutions have accumulated over 6.5 million ETH, with BitMine Immersion leading at 4,534,563 ETH. 

This suggests Ethereum treasury companies are trying to compete with Bitcoin’s dominance. However, with public companies holding about 1.15 million Bitcoin [BTC] this seems like a far-fetched goal at the moment. 

In fact, some analysts are concerned, as noted by Ted Pillows, who said, 

DAT bubble is already bursting
Source: Ted/X

Yet, despite these concerns, some early crypto investors are showing confidence in Ethereum.

Erik Voorhees, founder of ShapeShift, recently bought 23,393 ETH worth about $49 million after staying inactive for a year. He still holds around $35 million in stablecoins, which means he could buy more ETH in the future.

Erik Voorhees is buying ETH like crazy
Source: Lookonchain/X

Price action and other on-chain metrics 

Meanwhile, the market has also improved, with ETH rising about 5.8% to around $2,244, and the ETH ETF seeing $26.7 worth of inflows on the 13th of March.

Looking at the network data, Ethereum’s condition appears mixed but active. The 30-day MVRV ratio, which measures investor profitability, recently turned positive after being negative earlier in February.

ETH's on chain activity
Source: Santiment

This means many traders are now back in profit, but it could also lead to more selling as people take gains. At the same time, development activity on Ethereum remains strong, showing that developers are still actively improving the network.

Other recent activity surrounding Ethereum

This coincided with the Ethereum Foundation recently transferring 5,000 ETH (about $10.38 million) and selling it through an OTC deal to BitMine Immersion Technologies. 

At the same time, prediction platforms like Polymarket are suggesting that Ethereum could risk losing its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.

Thus, with so much happening in and around the Ethereum network, investors are watching the network closely to see what happens next. 


Final Summary

Ishika Kumari

Journalist

Ishika Kumari is a Crypto Analyst at AMBCrypto, specializing in regulatory developments, market dynamics, and blockchain’s real-world impact. She breaks down complex protocols and legislation into practical, easy-to-understand insights.

This article was originally published on AMBCrypto and is republished here under RSS syndication for informational purposes. All rights and intellectual property remain with the original author. If you are the author and wish to have this article removed, please contact us at [email protected].

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