DeepComputing had the pleasure of hosting Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin at our office for an in-depth discussion with our founder and CEO Yuning Liang and the team. The conversation covered a wide range of topics—from open hardware and AI to blockchain security and long-term ecosystem development.
One key theme was the growing importance of open infrastructure, particularly as global interest in open-source AI continues to rise. At the same time, concerns were raised about the current limitations of AI systems, especially in handling Chinese language tasks, highlighting the need for more robust and inclusive technological solutions.
Security emerged as a central focus throughout the discussion. Beyond hardware, attention was drawn to the broader “access layer” of Ethereum—including applications, wallets, and operating systems. The team shared ongoing efforts to develop more secure software tools to improve interactions between user interfaces and blockchain networks. Hardware wallets, in particular, were critically examined, with challenges identified in usability, specialization, and supply chain security.“If you try to extend hardware wallets, you end up reinventing a secure phone—and that brings the same supply chain challenges,” said Vitalik Buterin.
Looking ahead, the conversation turned to Ethereum’s long-term roadmap. Four key priorities were emphasized: scalability, decentralization, verifiability, and the adoption of zero-knowledge (ZK) technologies. There was strong confidence in the role of ZK proofs in shaping the next generation of blockchain infrastructure, alongside discussions on balancing hardware acceleration with flexibility.
The group also explored the complexity of current systems and the need to simplify core components such as virtual machines, state management, and consensus mechanisms. Ensuring long-term sustainability—both technically and within developer communities—was highlighted as a critical challenge.“Open hardware, especially RISC-V, creates new possibilities to rethink the full stack—from silicon to software—with greater transparency and control,” said Yuning Liang.
Finally, the discussion touched on broader industry trends. While the crypto space continues to evolve, there was a shared view that the industry is transitioning from speculative growth toward building more sustainable, real-world applications.
This visit marks an exciting step toward potential collaboration, as DeepComputing continues to explore innovations at the intersection of open hardware, secure systems, and decentralized technologies.
