2026-01-08 10:25:06

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik recently discussed an interesting analogy: Ethereum can demonstrate the potential for large-scale decentralized applications like BitTorrent, and it can also prove that open, decentralized systems like the Linux operating system can be adopted and used by enterprises and governments worldwide. This comparison is quite insightful—BitTorrent has proven through practice that P2P networks can support massive numbers of users and data, while Linux, over more than twenty years of development, has shown that open-source decentralized models can build sufficiently stable and robust infrastructure. Applied to Ethereum, his point is that L1-level decentralization is not just a technical ideal but a validated and feasible ecosystem model. This perspective is quite inspiring for the development direction of the entire industry.

ETH1,03%

BTT-0,54%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

21 Likes

Reward
21
9
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

WalletDoomsDay

· 11h ago

V God, this comparison is okay, but can Linux really represent Ethereum? It feels like they're worlds apart. --- How do BitTorrent and Linux explain ETH's future? I don't quite understand this logic. --- Decentralization sounds awesome, but there's still a long way to go before governments and enterprises actually adopt it. --- Talking about L1 decentralization again, but these years it has indeed stabilized, so you can't completely deny it. --- Comparing twenty years of Linux to the newly born Ethereum, this kind of analogy itself is a bit problematic.

View OriginalReply0

RektRecorder

· 15h ago

Haha, Vitalik, that analogy is really spot on. The logic of Linux applied to ETH is truly convincing. --- BitTorrent and Linux? As expected from V God, daring to make such a comparison. --- Wait, does this mean ETH might be adopted worldwide like Linux? That's a bit crazy, I like it. --- Going for decentralization, going open source—sounds good in theory, but can it really happen in reality... --- Comparing twenty years of Linux to ETH still in development, that's a bit ahead of its time, isn't it? --- It's good to talk, but for enterprises and governments to actually use it, there's still a long way to go. --- ETH is indeed leading the way in L1 decentralization, but competitors are also stepping up. --- I love this logic, but I'm just worried it might be another castle in the air, a dream. --- Reminds me of similar arguments heard years ago, and the result was...

View OriginalReply0

HorizonHunter

· 01-10 15:46

V God's analogy is quite clever. Linux has dominated the market for so long, and Ethereum's gradual rise isn't bad either. --- The example of BitTorrent and Linux is well used, showing that decentralization can really survive. --- So basically, L1 decentralization must be truly functional and run smoothly; just talking about it won't cut it. --- This logic doesn't seem to be very new? Anyway, Ethereum is just proving that this set of ideas is feasible. --- Linux took over 20 years to become stable. Does that mean we have to wait for Ethereum? That's a bit uncertain. --- Um, following this logic, wouldn't Layer2 solutions be a bit awkward... --- Comparison is fine, but the key is whether they can really be adopted by governments and enterprises like Linux. We haven't seen that yet. --- Doesn't this mean that decentralization isn't a utopia, but something that can be practically implemented? Okay, I agree with this point.

View OriginalReply0

TideReceder

· 01-08 10:55

Vitalik's analogy this time is somewhat interesting, but on the other hand, can Linux really be compared to Ethereum? One is an operating system and the other is a blockchain... it feels a bit forced.

View OriginalReply0

GateUser-9ad11037

· 01-08 10:54

V God’s analogy is really brilliant. The example of Linux's more than twenty years directly refutes those who say decentralization is impossible.

View OriginalReply0

ContractCollector

· 01-08 10:52

The story of Bitcoin has been told for so long, and finally someone dares to compare Ethereum and Linux together. If Linux can be used by giants like IBM and Google, then V神's logic indeed holds water. But only what can be truly implemented counts. How much is this kind of statement worth? When it comes to decentralized infrastructure, we still need to wait and see. By the way, has L1 really become stable enough to rival Linux? Feels like something is still missing... This analogy sounds impressive at first, but can enterprise adoption be as easy as installing Linux for users? Anyway, I believe in V神's direction. Let's wait and see.

View OriginalReply0

SmartContractDiver

· 01-08 10:42

V神, this analogy is indeed brilliant, but I still feel like it's just hyping up expectations. Linux has been successful for twenty years, and Ethereum is truly being adopted on a large scale by governments and enterprises... how much longer do we have to wait? BitTorrent's approach is indeed impressive, but can Ethereum's current speed and costs really compare? It's nice to call it an ecosystem model, but ultimately it depends on whether it can solve real-world problems. But the idea is good; it's just that the execution is a bit lacking.

View OriginalReply0

AllInDaddy

· 01-08 10:31

Vitalik's analogy is excellent; the dual demonstration with BitTorrent and Linux is truly impressive. However, to be honest, while L1 decentralization sounds good, its practical implementation really depends on who can withstand commercial pressures without compromising...

View OriginalReply0

SatoshiHeir

· 01-08 10:27

It should be pointed out that the analogy made by Vitalik has three obvious logical flaws. First, the decentralization of BitTorrent is a passive technical feature, whereas Ethereum's decentralization requires economic incentives to sustain — the cost structures of the two are fundamentally different; second, the success of Linux precisely demonstrates that open source ≠ decentralized governance, and the stability we see today is under Linus's benevolent dictatorship; finally, there is an irreconcilable contradiction between L1 decentralization and enterprise-level adoption — it's hard to imagine JPMorgan really giving up control over transactions. This is not to deny Ethereum, but rather to say that this analogy is overly romanticized. Looking back at the technical origins of Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper, the true cost of decentralization has always been underestimated.

View OriginalReply0