Ethereum Price Rises 2% as Vitalik Buterin Calls for Return to Core Principles

The Ethereum price has surged 2% in the last 24 hours to trade at $3320 after Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called for a return to the network’s core principles of decentralization, privacy, and self-sovereignty, which he says have been weakened.

Buterin emphasized that 2026 must be the year Ethereum stops compromising its values for broader appeal. He said every previous compromise in favor of adoption must be reversed to restore trustlessness and user control.

To achieve this, Buterin highlighted several key priorities. He wants improved private payments, easier access for users to run full nodes, and decentralized applications (dApps) that do not rely on centralized servers. He also stressed the importance of giving users more control over their on-chain data and improving social recovery wallets, which protect funds if seed phrases are lost or stolen.

Ethereum’s Next Phase: Buterin Outlines Long-Term Upgrades

According to Buterin, Ethereum has backslid over the past decade: running nodes has become more difficult, and many dApps have evolved into complex systems that expose user data to multiple servers. Upcoming Ethereum upgrades, including the Kohaku release and Glamsterdam fork, are expected to address some of these challenges.

Buterin also stressed that Ethereum must become self-sustainable, able to operate securely without constant developer support for decades. He described this as passing the “walkaway test,” meaning the protocol should remain cryptographically safe and functional over the long term.

Key technical improvements Buterin advocates include quantum-resistant features, more scalable architecture, and a block-building model that resists centralization pressures. He also called for innovation in decentralized stablecoins, suggesting a model backed by a diversified basket of assets and currencies rather than relying solely on the US dollar.

Ethereum Price Forms Rounded Bottom, Eyes $3,600 Target

Ethereum (ETH) is showing bullish signs after consolidating near key support levels, with the 4-hour chart indicating a potential upward continuation. ETH trades at $3,315, following a period of consolidation above a major support zone near $2,900–$2,950. This level has repeatedly absorbed selling pressure, confirming it as a strong floor for buyers.

The chart shows ETH approaching a resistance zone around $3,330–$3,350, where previous attempts to break higher were met with selling pressure. Breaking above this resistance is key for entering the reward zone, which could push the price toward the target at approximately $3,600.

ETHUSD Chart Analysis. Source: Tradingview

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently around 56, suggesting room for further upward movement without entering overbought territory. Traders looking for bullish entries may consider waiting for a confirmed breakout above the resistance zone, while cautious traders might monitor support levels for potential pullbacks.

If ETH successfully breaks the resistance and enters the reward zone, momentum could carry the price toward the $3,600 target, providing a favorable risk-to-reward setup for short-term traders. Conversely, a failure to maintain the current support could result in a retest of the major support near $2,900, highlighting the importance of these levels in guiding future price action.