Vitalik Buterin Envisions Ethereum as a Cryptographic World Computer

Vitalik Buterin argues that Ethereum is evolving beyond the traditional definition of a blockchain into a 'cryptographic world computer.' Comparing the evolution of Ethereum from 2015 to 2030 against the original Bitcoin white paper, he highlights shifts toward zero-knowledge proofs, multi-party block construction, and proof-of-stake optimization. He suggests that the upcoming Hegota upgrade may be the final 'routine hard fork,' as future updates will represent fundamental transformations in the network's architecture, integrating advanced cryptographic tools that were not available or mature in 2009.