Welcome to 2026!

Vitalik Buterin, the mastermind behind Ethereum, kicked off the year by rocking a Milady-style avatar on X. Accompanied by a manifesto brimming with ambition, he aimed to steer Ethereum back to its primary goal – becoming the ultimate “world computer” for a free and open internet.

Milady’s Comeback

Buterin celebrated Milady’s resurgence as he detailed Ethereum’s achievements in 2025. Think better gas limits, increased blob counts, enhanced software quality, and zkEVMs making waves with their stellar performance. But hey, it wasn’t all about the victory laps!

Warning Bells Ringing

Amidst the celebration, Vitalik sounded some alarm bells. Ethereum has not yet met its lofty aspirations, and chasing the latest trends won’t cut it. He made it clear: it’s not about jumping on the next hot meta, whether it’s meme-inflated coins or tokenized dollars. No way! It’s about being that sturdy backbone of a truly open internet.

The True Meaning of “World Computer”

So, what does this “world computer” entail? Buterin envisions decentralized apps that stand strong against censorship, fraud, and third-party meddling. These are apps that keep chugging along, even if the companies we rely on throw in the towel.

Building Without Worry

“We’re in the business of creating decentralized applications,” he confidently stated. “These applications should continue running even if their creators decide to vanish into the ether. Imagine a world where if the internet giants go down, you’re still sailing smoothly—no hiccups!”

Beyond Financial Transactions

But wait, there’s more! Buterin didn’t stop at finance. He boldly pointed to identity, governance, and any other essential structures humans might need. Privacy is not just a luxury but a fundamental requirement.

No Trade-offs Here

Vitalik pushed back against the idea that usability and decentralization are on a seesaw. They need to coexist! He emphasized that everything from the software that communicates with the blockchain to the apps themselves must be both user-friendly and decentralized.

Time to Innovate

With a passionate close, Buterin expressed his confidence in Ethereum’s capabilities, asserting that the tools for success are already at hand, but it’s crucial to utilize them more effectively. “Everything needs to be better—it’s improving, but we need to speed things up. We’ve got the tools, and we will get the job done!”

Current ETH Value

As of now, ETH is trading at a cool $3,030. Let’s see how this vision unfolds!