No Supercomputer: Buterin’s Node Idea Cuts Hardware Costs

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No Supercomputer Needed: Vitalik Buterin’s Node Idea Cuts Hardware Costs

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: May 19, 2025

Key Takeaways

Vitalik Buterin proposed "partially stateless nodes" to lower costs for running Ethereum;
These nodes let users store only key data, reducing reliance on third-party RPC services;
By cutting storage needs, the new model makes personal Ethereum nodes more accessible.

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Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum ETH $2,456.01 , has introduced a new idea to help regular users stay connected to the network without needing expensive hardware.

In a blog post shared on May 19, the Ethereum co-founder proposed a new type of node called a "partially stateless node" that could lower the cost and complexity of verifying blockchain data.

His main concern is that most users depend on a small number of RPC (Remote Procedure Call) providers to interact with Ethereum. These services connect wallets and apps to the blockchain without running a full node.

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While convenient, this setup gives a lot of power to a few companies and creates risks of censorship and data tracking.

Instead of storing everything on the blockchain, partially stateless nodes would only keep the parts that matter to each user. For example, someone could choose to store data related to their wallet, favorite decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, or commonly used tokens like ETH or stablecoins.

These nodes would still be able to verify new blocks using smaller proofs, even without holding the full history of the blockchain. If the node needs information outside the saved data, it could either skip the request or connect to an outside provider, but only when needed.

Another benefit is lower hardware demands. Full Ethereum nodes need increasing amounts of storage and bandwidth as the network grows. By letting users choose what to keep, partially stateless nodes make it easier for more people to run their own software without a big setup.

Recently, Tomasz Stańczak, co-executive director of the Ethereum Foundation, shared the group’s plan to improve the core Ethereum network and address user experience issues. How? Read the full story.