Ethereum moves to 'real DeFi' focused on permissionless, walkaway-proof systems

The Ethereum Foundation is narrowing its focus to what it calls “real DeFi,” moving away from financial applications that rely on centralized control or mirror traditional finance. The aim is to prioritize systems users can trust without depending on companies, intermediaries, or founders.

Vitalik Buterin framed DeFi as central to Ethereum’s mission because it gives people direct control over their money. He described the vision as “permissionless, open-source, private, security-first global finance,” and signaled that Ethereum will now define which projects meet that standard.

Part of the shift is eliminating hidden points of control. Many platforms still use admin keys, multisig wallets, or centralized infrastructure that allow developers to change or pause systems, creating trust dependencies. Ethereum wants protocols to pass the “walkaway test,” meaning they should keep working even if their original developers disappear.

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