Buterin Hints at Major Ethereum Security Overhaul… Will AI Monitor All Transactions?

▲ Ethereum (ETH) / AI-generated image

Ethereum (ETH) co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed an innovative redefinition of security, signaling a paradigm shift in the ecosystem.

According to crypto media outlet U.Today on February 23 (local time), Buterin argued that developers and users must fundamentally change the way they view blockchain security. He emphasized that the boundary between traditional notions of security and user experience is largely an illusion, and that the core of security lies in designing systems so their actual behavior reflects user intent as accurately as possible. Through X (formerly Twitter), Buterin stated, “The goal is to minimize the gap between user intent and the system’s actual behavior.”

Buterin explained that perfect security is impossible not because of flaws in machines or humans, but because user intent itself is extremely complex. When a user attempts to send 1 ETH to a real-world person, serious risks arise in translating that intention into complex mathematical public keys or hashes. He added that defining abstract goals such as privacy protection is even more challenging, requiring developers to rely on layered safety mechanisms.

Buterin proposed standardizing multi-layer intent verification systems in Ethereum wallets and decentralized applications (dApps). In particular, he suggested utilizing large language models (LLMs) as tools to validate users’ actual intentions. He analyzed that artificial intelligence (AI) could act as a “shadow” reflecting human common sense or individual user tendencies, precisely identifying unusual transactions that deviate from normal behavior.

This shift in security philosophy is expected to drive qualitative growth across the ecosystem in tandem with Ethereum’s upcoming roadmap, including the Beam Chain and advancements in zero-knowledge proof technologies. Through upgrades such as FOCIL, scheduled for introduction in the second half of 2026, Buterin aims to establish a more streamlined and robust security framework. Ethereum is evolving into an integrated system that reduces technical complexity while adhering to cypherpunk principles.

Buterin’s proposal is being evaluated as presenting essential security standards at a stage when the virtual asset market is moving beyond simple asset holding toward practical usability. An AI-based security infrastructure that enables systems to understand and protect user intent is expected to become a key driver in lowering entry barriers for institutional investors. The Ethereum ecosystem continues to pursue structural innovation to achieve both technological sophistication and user protection.

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