Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed the integration of distributed validator technology (DVT) into the staking infrastructure of the blockchain, believing it could simplify the user experience with staking.

Buterin suggested ’native DVT’ in a forum post on Wednesday, explaining that it would enable Ether (ETH) stakers to operate without relying on a single node.

Currently, Ethereum validators are limited to operating one node for the security of the network, which can result in penalties if it goes offline. The introduction of DVT would allow a validator to distribute their key across multiple nodes, significantly mitigating penalties.

“The key is secret-shared among several nodes, with all signatures threshold signed,” he elaborated, noting that the system is dependable as long as the majority of the nodes remain honest.

Vitalik Buterin speaking about DVT Vitalik Buterin making a point about distributed validator technology at an event in 2024. Source: University of Waterloo

Buterin mentioned that while some protocols currently utilize DVT, they do not achieve full consensus for each validator, offering lesser guarantees but increased simplicity.

DVT Implementation Proposal

He stated that existing DVT solutions are complex to implement; hence he proposed a surprisingly straightforward alternative: incorporating DVT directly into the core protocol.

His design suggests that a validator could create up to 16 keys or ‘virtual identities’ functioning independently but regarded as a single entity within the blockchain.

This model, termed “group identity,” would only be recognized as an action, such as adding a block, once a minimum of these virtual identities has approved, with rewards or penalties assigned based on the collective decisions.

Buterin emphasized this approach would significantly lower the barrier to entry for users, making DVT staking as straightforward as managing multiple copies of a standard client node.

Moreover, it would offer more security for users who want to stake substantial amounts of ETH, allowing them to do so in a safer environment rather than being dependent on a lone node. Thus, this would enhance the decentralization of staking practices.

His latest recommendation aligns with his ongoing efforts to make Ethereum more accessible and user-friendly, though he acknowledges that this concept will need further discussion before it could be officially incorporated into the network.

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