Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a groundbreaking idea aimed at preserving user freedom and privacy as the Ethereum network continues to scale. In a post shared on May 19, Buterin proposed a new concept called “partially stateless nodes”, designed to make running Ethereum nodes easier, more accessible, and more private—especially for everyday users.
What Are Partially Stateless Nodes?
Traditional Ethereum nodes require storing the full blockchain, which can demand a lot of storage and computing power. But Buterin’s new approach introduces a lightweight alternative. With partially stateless nodes, users can validate blocks without needing to store the entire Ethereum state. Instead, they can choose to store only the parts of the blockchain that are relevant to them—like their wallet transactions, interactions with DeFi apps, or balances of specific tokens such as ETH or stablecoins.
This new model is especially appealing to users who want to stay connected to Ethereum without investing in expensive hardware or managing large databases. It makes participating in the network more practical and inclusive.
Reducing Centralization Risks and Improving Privacy
Vitalik also warned about the risks of relying too heavily on centralized RPC (Remote Procedure Call) providers, which are commonly used to interact with Ethereum. Many of these providers already enforce geographic restrictions, block entire countries, or control access to the network—posing serious risks to user privacy and freedom.
By enabling users to run their own lightweight nodes, the partially stateless model reduces dependency on these centralized services. This decentralization enhances Ethereum’s core principles of being trustless, censorship-resistant, and open to all.
Buterin’s proposal is a strong step toward making Ethereum more scalable while keeping it true to its roots: a decentralized platform that empowers users, not middlemen.
