Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said at OKX NOW in Singapore on October 6, 2026, that the network could support many more transactions at lower cost within two years, alongside better privacy and deeper integration with AI applications.
Why it matters
Buterin described a potential change in how onchain applications work. Trading counterparties and developers could both be bots, while AI agents interpret offers posted directly onchain and identify opportunities for users. In that model, traditional applications might no longer be needed.
Market impact
The outlook ties Ethereum's scaling and privacy improvements to a possible expansion of AI-driven onchain activity. Buterin's remarks describe a future direction, not a confirmed timeline for specific upgrades or adoption. The key question is whether Ethereum can deliver lower costs and better privacy as more activity moves to agent-driven applications.
Frequently asked questions
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What Ethereum improvements did Vitalik Buterin describe?
He said Ethereum could support many more transactions at lower cost within two years, alongside better privacy and deeper integration with AI applications.
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How could AI agents interact with onchain offers?
Bots could post offers directly onchain, while users' AI agents interpret those offers and identify suitable trading opportunities.
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Could bots become Ethereum trading counterparties?
Yes. Buterin suggested that both trading counterparties and application developers could be bots.
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Why might traditional applications become less important?
In the scenario Buterin described, bots post offers onchain and users rely on AI agents to interpret them, potentially removing the need for traditional applications.
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Did Buterin give a timeline for Ethereum's changes?
He said Ethereum could support more transactions at lower cost in two years, while also describing better privacy and deeper AI integration.
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