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Vitalik Buterin proposes simpler ‘distributed validator’ staking for Ethereum
The aim is to make staking more resilient while dramatically reducing technical complexity for large ETH holders.
Jan 21, 2026, 1:43 p.m.
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What to know:
- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a proposal to build distributed validator technology (DVT) directly into Ethereum’s staking protocol, aiming to make staking more resilient while dramatically reducing technical complexity for large ETH holders.
- DVT allows validators to operate across multiple machines instead of relying on a single node. In existing implementations, a validator’s cryptographic key is split across several nodes, which collectively sign messages.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a proposal to build distributed validator technology (DVT) directly into Ethereum’s staking protocol, aiming to make staking more resilient while dramatically reducing technical complexity for large ETH holders.
DVT allows validators to operate across multiple machines instead of relying on a single node. In existing implementations, a validator’s cryptographic key is split across several nodes, which collectively sign messages. As long as more than two-thirds of those nodes behave honestly, the validator continues to operate normally without risking penalties such as slashing or inactivity leaks.
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While DVT is already in use today in some protocols, Buterin argues these solutions remain difficult to set up and maintain. They often require complex networking between nodes and depend on cryptographic properties that may not be suitable in the long term.
Buterin’s proposal replaces that complexity with a protocol-level solution. Instead of relying on external coordination layers, Ethereum itself would support validators that operate as groups.
Under the design, a validator with enough ETH could register up to 16 individual keys, creating multiple “virtual identities” that each behave like independent validators but are treated as a single unit by the protocol. Ethereum would only recognize actions, such as proposing blocks or signing attestations, if a minimum number of those identities sign off, based on a user-defined threshold.
Buterin says the proposal could have two major benefits. First, it would allow security-conscious stakers, including individual “whales” and institutions, to stake in a safer, multi-node setup without relying on centralized staking providers. Second, it could improve Ethereum’s overall staking decentralization by encouraging large holders to run their own infrastructure rather than delegating to dominant services.
“This design is extremely simple from the perspective of a user,” Buterin wrote.
The proposal remains a research idea and would require further discussion before being considered for inclusion in the Ethereum protocol. Still, it reflects a broader push among Ethereum developers to make staking more secure, accessible and decentralized, without making it harder to run.
Read more: Decentralized autonomous organizations need a rethink, Ethereum co-founder says
AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.
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