Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko has reignited the long-running debate about how blockchains should survive long term, pushing back against Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s vision of a largely hands-off, self-sustaining network. Yakovenko argues that constant evolution is not optional for blockchains. In his view, it is a requirement for survival.
In a recent post on X, Yakovenko said Solana must continuously adapt to the needs of developers and users or risk becoming obsolete. He emphasized that while no single group or individual should control upgrades, the network itself should never stop iterating. According to him, a blockchain that freezes its development trajectory is effectively choosing decline.
His comments were a direct response to Buterin’s idea that Ethereum should eventually pass what he calls the “walkaway test.” This means Ethereum should be able to function securely and reliably for decades even if its original developers step away entirely.
Solana’s “Always Evolving” Philosophy
Yakovenko’s philosophy centers on adaptability. He believes Solana should remain a living, evolving system that regularly introduces new features to meet real-world demands. Rather than aiming for a final, static design, Solana is intended to keep upgrading its performance, tooling, and user experience as technology and usage patterns change.
A key part of this vision is decentralizing development itself. Yakovenko has said protocol upgrades should come from a broad, diverse community of contributors rather than a small number of core teams. Looking even further ahead, he suggested that Solana network fees could one day fund AI-assisted development, allowing artificial intelligence to help write, review, and improve Solana’s codebase.
For Yakovenko, the message is clear: users and developers should always expect “a next version of Solana,” not a finished product locked in time.
Ethereum’s Long-Term Stability and the Walkaway Test
Vitalik Buterin’s approach takes a very different direction. Ethereum’s long-term goal is to maximize decentralization, privacy, and self-sovereignty, even if that means slower innovation or reduced mainstream adoption in the short term. The idea is that a simpler, more stable protocol reduces bugs, security risks, and centralization pressures over time.
Buterin has acknowledged that Ethereum is not yet ready to fully pass the walkaway test. He has highlighted several major areas that still need improvement, including quantum resistance, greater scalability, and a block-building model that better resists centralization. Only after these upgrades, he argues, can Ethereum realistically become a blockchain that can operate safely with minimal ongoing developer intervention.
Supporters of Buterin’s philosophy argue that adding too many features increases complexity and risk, while advocates of Yakovenko’s “adapt or die” mindset believe excessive caution can lead to stagnation and being overtaken by faster-moving competitors.
