- Blockchain leaders urge a shift back to trustless systems, citing growing risks from centralization and eroding digital privacy.
- Vitalik Buterin warns that blind faith in institutions is dangerous as privacy declines and tech advances threaten user autonomy.
- Developers must prioritize layer-1 decentralization and build low-maintenance, uncensorable systems to protect long-term user sovereignty.
The blockchain space is facing renewed calls for maximum decentralization, permissionless architecture, and greater privacy. Industry figures like Robert Sasu and Mike Belshe are sounding the alarm. They believe the sector has drifted too far from its founding principles. Their statements echo growing concerns over centralization and rising surveillance. This warning gains weight amid recent insights from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. He stressed that transparency alone cannot guarantee user protection. Additionally, he argued that societal and political assumptions no longer reflect today’s reality.
Robert Sasu, known for his critical stance on centralization, reaffirmed that only layer-1 public blockchains offer true financial sovereignty. According to him, building on centralized platforms jeopardizes user safety. Moreover, he emphasized the need for ultra-scalable, low-maintenance networks. These should support uncensorable, trustless, and decentralized applications by design. Sasu believes such frameworks are essential for ensuring long-term reliability and freedom.
Buterin Raises Alarm on Privacy Erosion
Buterin’s April 14 blog post reinforced this perspective. He questioned society’s blind faith in institutions. He warned that the world can no longer assume governments or corporations act with users’ best interests. Furthermore, he criticized the notion that more transparency always benefits society. According to him, this view assumes global leadership is sane and ethical—an assumption he finds increasingly invalid.
Additionally, Buterin expressed discomfort with the loss of personal privacy. He acknowledged that even routine activities may become media headlines. He stressed that privacy safeguards everyone, even those currently within accepted social norms. Hence, he argued that the industry must urgently prioritize user protection. He highlighted rising threats like brain-computer interfaces and algorithmic price gouging. These could exploit users by tapping into their thoughts or financial habits.
Call for Structural Change in Blockchain Development
Belshe, CEO of BitGo, agreed with both Sasu and Buterin. He admitted the industry has grown lax on privacy. Consequently, he believes developers must rebuild infrastructure that respects individual liberty. Significantly, he joined the call to reduce reliance on centralized intermediaries. He also endorsed building directly on layer-1 blockchains as the only secure path forward.
