Vitalik Buterin proposes replacing Ethereum’s EVM with RISC-V to boost efficiency and scalability. This upgrade aims to enhance zero-knowledge proofs while ensuring compatibility with existing contracts. The community is cautiously optimistic, recognising both the potential benefits and challenges. Ethereum’s price shows signs of a breakout, reflecting the innovative developments ahead.
Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a proposal to enhance Ethereum by replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture. This upgrade aims to improve efficiency, particularly in zero-knowledge proofs that are essential for long-term scalability. Existing EVM contracts will remain unaffected, providing a seamless transition for developers and users while increasing Ethereum’s overall performance.
The timing of Buterin’s proposal is significant as Ethereum’s base layer activity has diminished recently. In April 2025, average transaction fees reached a four-year low of $0.16, signalling that users are migrating towards layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Base. To remain competitive, Ethereum’s infrastructure must evolve to match the efficiency of newer blockchains, and RISC-V could address this need by streamlining its execution layer.
Community feedback regarding the proposal has been cautiously optimistic. While many developers recognise the benefits that RISC-V could bring, they also acknowledge the challenges involved in such a major overhaul. This transition would demand extensive testing, upgrades, and a well-coordinated plan, but Ethereum’s history of executing major upgrades suggests potential for success.
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s price action indicates positive momentum. Currently trading around $1,627, ETH has shown resilience, bouncing from a support level of $1,605 and forming a symmetrical triangle pattern, which often indicates a forthcoming breakout. With the MACD showing bullish signs, a price breakout above $1,691 could lead to targets at $1,749 and $1,812.
The trading strategy involves buying on a breakout above $1,691, setting targets at $1,749 and $1,812, while maintaining a stop loss at $1,605. As always, traders are advised to monitor market sentiment and Ethereum’s developments closely before making commitments.
In conclusion, Buterin’s proposal for Ethereum to transition to RISC-V could signal a significant evolution for the platform. While prices are gearing up for potential breakout scenarios, many foundational changes are underway, shaping the future of Ethereum as a leading blockchain resource.
