Understanding Ethereum’s ‘walkaway test’ – Who really keeps the network alive?

ambcrypto发布于2026-01-13更新于2026-01-13

文章摘要

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin advocates for a "walkaway test," emphasizing the need for Ethereum to function as a robust, self-sustaining tool rather than a service dependent on continuous development. He argues the network should rely on its existing protocol for long-term durability, prioritizing security, scalability, and decentralization. Currently, a small group of large application builders—including stablecoin issuers, DeFi platforms, staking providers, and traditional finance entities like PayPal and Coinbase—supports over 90% of the value locked on Ethereum. Their sustained activity aligns with Buterin’s vision, as these applications operate independently of base-layer changes. In a show of confidence, Tom Lee’s Bitmine increased its Ethereum exposure by $75.6 million last week, bringing total holdings beyond $13 billion. The firm also staked around $340 million in ETH within a single day, contributing to a total staked amount of roughly $3.69 billion—nearly 1% of Ethereum’s supply. This significant investment reflects strong institutional belief in the network’s long-term viability.

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin is making the case for a “walkaway test,” while activity across the network rests with a small group of large application builders.

On the other hand, Tom Lee’s Bitmine pushed its Ethereum exposure past $13 billion this week.

Confidence in the network is coming from its existing ecosystem.

A test for survival

Buterin wants Ethereum to reach a point where it can survive even if active development slows or stops.

In a recent post on X, he argued that Ethereum should work “more like tools,” rather than services; something users can rely on without relying on constant updates or a central group of maintainers.

“Do the right thing once, based on knowledge of what is truly the right thing… and maximize Ethereum’s technological and social robustness for the long term.”

That idea, which he calls the “walkaway test,” means the network’s value should come from what is already built into the protocol today. To get there, Buterin set out long-term goals such as stronger security and scalability, and a design that can last for decades.

Adding to this…

A relatively small group of builders now supports more than 90% of the value locked on the network. Stablecoin issuers, DeFi platforms, staking providers, and even TradFi players like PayPal and Coinbase are at the core of Ethereum’s [ETH] activity.

Source: Token Terminal

Real usage of the network is being sustained by applications that continue to function regardless of changes at the base layer. This matches Buterin’s view.

Is big money betting on Ethereum’s staying power?

Tom Lee’s Bitmine added $75.6 million worth of Ethereum last week, bringing total ETH holdings beyond $13 billion. More importantly, they’re actively putting that capital to work.

Source: Arkham

Over the past day alone, they staked around $340 million worth of ETH. Total staked amount pushed up to roughly $3.69 billion.

That’s close to 1% of Ethereum’s total supply.

Final Thoughts

  • Buterin calls for a “walkaway test,” saying the network needs to be able to run itself.
  • Bitmine stakes $3.69B in ETH, showing long-term belief in network durability.
Next: From Times Square to zero bids – Inside NYC token’s 30-minute collapse
Share
  • Share
  • Tweet

相关问答

QWhat is the 'walkaway test' proposed by Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin?

AThe 'walkaway test' is a concept proposed by Vitalik Buterin where Ethereum should reach a point where it can survive and function reliably even if active development slows or stops. It means the network's value should come from what is already built into the protocol, making it more like a tool that doesn't rely on constant updates or a central group of maintainers.

QAccording to the article, which group is responsible for supporting more than 90% of the value locked on the Ethereum network?

AA relatively small group of large application builders, including stablecoin issuers, DeFi platforms, staking providers, and TradFi players like PayPal and Coinbase, supports more than 90% of the value locked on the Ethereum network.

QHow much Ethereum did Tom Lee's Bitmine add to its holdings last week, and what is its total ETH exposure?

ATom Lee's Bitmine added $75.6 million worth of Ethereum last week, bringing its total ETH holdings beyond $13 billion.

QWhat are some of the long-term goals Buterin set out for Ethereum to pass the 'walkaway test'?

AButerin set out long-term goals such as stronger security and scalability, and a design that can last for decades, to make Ethereum technologically and socially robust for the long term.

QHow much Ethereum has Bitmine staked, and what does this indicate about their belief in the network?

ABitmine has staked approximately $3.69 billion worth of Ethereum, which is close to 1% of Ethereum's total supply. This significant investment shows their long-term belief in the network's durability and staying power.

你可能也喜欢

Booking.com 创始人 Jeff Hoffman：Web3 与 AI 如何重塑万亿美元社交旅行市场

Booking.com联合创始人Jeff Hoffman分享了他对Web3与AI重塑万亿美元社交旅行市场的见解。他认为，传统在线旅行社（OTA）虽然贡献巨大，但存在中间商多、经济模型不透明、忠诚度体系偏向平台等问题。Web3技术通过促进直接联系、透明结算和用户激励，正在颠覆这一模式。AI则提供个性化推荐和智能行程规划，两者结合将使旅行从一次性交易转变为持续性社交体验。 Hoffman指出，现代旅行者更看重灵活性、真实奖励和社群信任，而非传统积分或广告。他加入Staynex平台正是因为其融合了预订、支付、AI和奖励功能，构建了一个互联的生态系统，而非简单改进OTA。Staynex通过Web2.5双轨模式（Web2规模效应与Web3激励模型结合）解决行业碎片化问题，提升用户留存和价值。 未来十年，区块链与AI将重新定义全球旅行，使其更连贯、个性化。传统OTA不会消失，但价值中心将转向拥有支付、忠诚度和社群关系的平台。Hoffman认为，旅行是Web3中最被低估的机遇之一，而社交旅行是清晰的切入点。

marsbit23分钟前

Booking.com 创始人 Jeff Hoffman：Web3 与 AI 如何重塑万亿美元社交旅行市场

marsbit23分钟前

币圈KOL做付费社群、卖课程，会不会违法？

币圈KOL通过付费社群和课程提供加密货币投资相关内容，存在显著法律风险。业务模式风险分三个层次：纯内容型（如历史走势分析）风险较低；半引导型（如日常行情分析和模糊建议）易被认定为“提供投资建议”，风险较高；强带单型（明确买卖点位）可能涉及刑事责任。核心在于内容是否实质构成“引导交易”，即使强调“教学”或免责声明，司法机关仍会穿透审查业务实质。主要风险包括民事责任（用户索赔）和刑事责任（如诈骗罪）。风险高低取决于内容指引性、用户行为关联性及收费模式，建议谨慎评估业务合规性。

marsbit46分钟前

币圈KOL做付费社群、卖课程，会不会违法？

marsbit46分钟前

库克谢幕与特努斯接棒：苹果4万亿帝国的断层与重启

蒂姆·库克正式宣布将于今年9月卸任苹果CEO，转任执行董事长，由现年50岁的约翰·特努斯接任。库克在任15年间，将苹果市值从约3500亿美元推升至近4万亿美元，成就商业传奇。特努斯是苹果内部培养的“纯血工程师”，长期负责硬件工程，其接班被视为一场早有准备的权力交接。 特努斯上位后，苹果内部权力结构重新调整，硬件体系进一步强化，由芯片负责人Johny Srouji接替其原职，形成产品工程与底层计算双线合力的技术布局。然而，苹果在人工智能（AI）领域明显落后，Siri屡次升级推迟，最终依赖谷歌模型支持，暴露其组织机制在AI时代的适应性不足。 随着通用智能（ASI）崛起，苹果“硬件+系统+生态”的闭环模式面临挑战。端侧AI成为其关键突破口，但需在理想与现实之间找到平衡。特努斯面临紧迫时间窗口，即将到来的WWDC大会将是其战略首秀，若无法清晰展示AI方向，市场信心可能动摇。 库克时代将商业成功推向极致，而特努斯需在新时代重新定义苹果——能否在人工智能驱动下继续“定义未来”，将是其真正的考题。

marsbit2小时前

库克谢幕与特努斯接棒：苹果4万亿帝国的断层与重启

marsbit2小时前

W3.io 与 Space and Time 携手推出可验证的AI金融基础设施

W3.io与Space and Time宣布合作推出可验证的AI金融基础设施，为商业金融操作提供端到端的可验证支持。当前每日处理超过20万笔操作。随着AI代理在供应商、支付和合规系统中加速决策，企业面临问责挑战。双方通过工作流执行和底层数据双重验证架构，确保操作全链路可追溯篡改。 W3平台帮助企业快速创建自动化金融流程，部署时间从数月缩短至一天；Space and Time则提供底层可验证数据层，共同形成从执行到结算的不可篡改证明链。合作已获Creatorland平台实践验证，日均处理20万笔支付与分账流程。 企业需在审计中证明AI资金操作的合规性，此次合作正针对该需求。W3已整合Circle、Stripe等十余家支付服务商，Space and Time获微软M12风投支持，致力于连接现实数据与链上技术，推动DeFi及机构市场发展。

TheNewsCrypto5小时前

W3.io 与 Space and Time 携手推出可验证的AI金融基础设施

TheNewsCrypto5小时前

纽约总检察长起诉Coinbase和Gemini，指控其违反州法律

纽约总检察长起诉Coinbase和Gemini涉嫌违反州法律，指控这两家加密货币交易所未经纽约州博彩委员会许可非法运营预测市场。诉讼指出，这些预测市场的结果不受投注者控制或类似机会游戏，应被定性为非法赌博而非合法市场活动。此外，平台还允许18至20岁用户参与，违反纽约州21岁的最低体育博彩年龄限制。检察长要求法院责令两家公司退还非法利润、支付三倍赔偿金并实施用户年龄限制及营销管制。消息公布后，Coinbase股价下跌约10%，Gemini下跌约4%。

bitcoinist6小时前

纽约总检察长起诉Coinbase和Gemini，指控其违反州法律

bitcoinist6小时前

交易

现货
合约

热门文章

如何购买S

欢迎来到HTX.com！我们已经让购买Sonic（S）变得简单而便捷。跟随我们的逐步指南，放心开始您的加密货币之旅。第一步：创建您的HTX账户使用您的电子邮件、手机号码注册一个免费账户在HTX上。体验无忧的注册过程并解锁所有平台功能。立即注册第二步：前往买币页面，选择您的支付方式信用卡/借记卡购买：使用您的Visa或Mastercard即时购买Sonic（S）。余额购买：使用您HTX账户余额中的资金进行无缝交易。第三方购买：探索诸如Google Pay或Apple Pay等流行支付方法以增加便利性。C2C购买：在HTX平台上直接与其他用户交易。HTX场外交易台（OTC）购买：为大量交易者提供个性化服务和竞争性汇率。第三步：存储您的Sonic（S）购买完您的Sonic（S）后，将其存储在您的HTX账户钱包中。您也可以通过区块链转账将其发送到其他地方或者用于交易其他加密货币。第四步：交易Sonic（S）在HTX的现货市场轻松交易Sonic（S)。访问您的账户，选择您的交易对，执行您的交易，并实时监控。HTX为初学者和经验丰富的交易者提供了友好的用户体验。

2.0k人学过发布于 2025.01.15更新于 2025.03.21

如何购买S

相关讨论

欢迎来到HTX社区。在这里，您可以了解最新的平台发展动态并获得专业的市场意见。以下是用户对S(S)币价的意见。

活动图片

热门问答

热门分类right-arrow

热门标签right-arrow