---
title: "Vitalik Buterin proposes ‘Extremely Lean’ Ethereum, shrinking the chain to near-zero state with ZK proofs"
url: https://thecoingazette.com/vitalik-buterin-proposes-ae%cb%9cextremely-leanae-ethereum-shrinking-the-chain-to-near-zero-state-with-zk-proofs/
date: 2026-07-06
modified: 2026-07-06
author: "Coin Gazette Editorial"
description: "Buterin outlined a two-step plan to shift Ethereum's state management to validators and replace per-epoch balance updates with ZK proofs."
categories:
  - "Crypto News"
  - "Ethereum"
tags:
  - "Companies"
  - "Crypto Ecosystems"
  - "Deals"
  - "ethereum"
  - "infrastructure"
  - "Layer 1s"
  - "Markets"
  - "Metaverse & NFT"
  - "Near"
  - "People"
  - "Policy"
  - "The Block"
  - "Token Projects"
  - "Validators"
  - "vitalik buterin"
word_count: 20
---

# Vitalik Buterin proposes ‘Extremely Lean’ Ethereum, shrinking the chain to near-zero state with ZK proofs

Buterin outlined a two-step plan to shift Ethereum's state management to validators and replace per-epoch balance updates with ZK proofs.