Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin (비탈릭 부테린) has proposed introducing distributed validator technology (DVT) directly into the Ethereum protocol to simplify staking and strengthen security, CoinDesk reported on Jan. 21 local time.

DVT currently allows a validator to run across multiple machines rather than a single node. It is based on distributing operational cryptographic keys across multiple nodes so they jointly sign messages. If more than two-thirds operate honestly, it can function normally without the risk of slashing, or validator penalties, or inactivity leaks.

Buterin said existing DVT solutions are complex to set up and maintain and may not be suitable over the long term. His proposal is for Ethereum itself to support group validators without external coordination. Under the plan, validators with sufficient ETH could register up to 16 individual keys to create multiple virtual identities. Block proposals or signing activity would be recognised only when a minimum signature threshold is met.

CoinDesk said the design would allow large holders to stake in a secure multi-node environment without centralised staking services and could promote network decentralisation.

Buterin stressed it is "a very simple design from the user perspective". The proposal is still at the research stage and would require further discussion to be included in the Ethereum protocol.