Vitalik Buterin Proposes Ethereum EVM Overhaul with RISC-V Integration

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a major shift in the blockchain’s technical infrastructure by replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, an open-source architecture praised for its built-in encryption and scalability benefits. Shared over the weekend on Ethereum’s core developer forum, the proposal could mark a pivotal change in how Ethereum executes smart contracts.

The EVM has long been the backbone of Ethereum’s success, enabling cross-compatibility with other EVM-based chains and supporting a robust Layer-2 ecosystem, including Coinbase’s Base. Buterin argues that transitioning to a RISC-V-based execution layer could streamline Ethereum’s processing model, eliminating major performance bottlenecks and offering up to 100x efficiency improvements in certain use cases.

RISC-V's native support for encryption could also serve as a less complex alternative to Ethereum’s ongoing efforts to integrate zero-knowledge cryptography into its execution layer. This change, Buterin says, could significantly lower transaction costs and boost adoption by improving scalability and simplifying network operations.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns within the Ethereum community over sluggish transaction volumes and ETH's underperformance relative to other major cryptocurrencies. Earlier this year, the Ethereum Foundation underwent a leadership change aimed at providing clearer direction amid fears the platform is falling behind faster-moving competitors.

While Buterin's suggestion is envisioned as a long-term upgrade — similar in scope to other deep-layer projects like the Beam Chain — it signals a bold attempt to reestablish Ethereum’s technical edge in the evolving blockchain landscape. If adopted, this shift could redefine Ethereum’s smart contract execution and improve interoperability across the decentralized ecosystem.