Vitalik Buterin Interview in Chinese: POS, Layer2, Cryptography and AI

On April 7, 2025, Vitalik Buterin attended an event in Hong Kong. During a break in the event, Yan, the founder of the DappLearning community, interviewed Vitalik covering various topics such as ETH POS, Layer 2, Cryptography, and AI. Here are the main points of the interview:

Views on POS Upgrade

Vitalik believes that the price of ETH is unrelated to the consensus mechanism and is more dependent on the success of ecological applications. He pointed out that the challenge ETH faces is that successful applications do not necessarily lead to an increase in ETH's value; more support is needed for applications that have long-term value for ETH.

PBS Architecture and Centralization Concerns

Vitalik explained the principle of the PBS architecture, believing that although Builders will be more centralized, their power can be limited through means such as Fossil to ensure the decentralization and security of the network.

The Relationship Between Layer 1 and Layer 2

Vitalik believes that Layer 2 has largely addressed the TPS issue, but there are still challenges regarding security and interoperability. He proposed several improvement directions:

1. Promote Layer 2 upgrades to Stage 1 and Stage 2
2. Improve interoperability between Layer 2s
3. Shorten withdrawal time, such as using the 2 of 3 verification method.
4. Enhance the role of Layer 1 and increase its gas limit.

Ethereum Upgrade Plan

Vitalik revealed that Ethereum plans to implement the Pectra upgrade at the end of April, and the Fusaka upgrade in Q3 or Q4. To accelerate the upgrade process, they are taking measures to improve coordination efficiency.

Cryptography Development Direction

Vitalik suggests that developers focus on high-level languages ( HLL ), without needing to delve into the underlying algorithms. He is optimistic about the development prospects of ZK RISC-V. Regarding FHE and MPC, Vitalik pointed out their limitations.

The Impact of AI on Blockchain

Vitalik believes that AI may narrow the gap between experts and novices, providing more opportunities for ordinary people. He hopes to empower individuals through technologies like AI and Cryptography, realizing the vision of "super individuals, super communities, super humans."

Expectations for the Ethereum Ecosystem

Vitalik calls on developers to focus on applications with real value that can operate sustainably, finding a balance between idealism and gambling. He believes that now is a good time to develop Ethereum applications, with a great chance of success.