Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Transaction Simulation to Fortify Ethereum Wallet Security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has once again highlighted the critical necessity of integrating transaction simulation and user intent verification into the ecosystem's wallets and smart contracts. This recent call to action is a key component of Ethereum's overarching strategic roadmap, which prioritizes the reinforcement of base-layer security protocols by February 2026.

Buterin maintains that robust security and a seamless user experience are fundamentally dependent on how accurately protocols execute a user's true intentions. Under this proposed "intent-based security" model, users would first explicitly define their desired action, followed by a detailed simulation of the transaction's blockchain consequences. Only after reviewing these projected outcomes would the user provide a final confirmation, such as an "OK" or "Cancel" command.

Significant progress is already being made through initiatives like Kohaku, which focuses on developing localized transaction simulation tools. The core philosophy dictates that a transaction should only proceed if the user's initial intent, the simulated result, and pre-defined risk parameters are in perfect alignment. By making routine operations simpler and high-risk actions more friction-heavy, this approach aims to dismantle the opaque permission structures that modern scammers frequently exploit.

While Buterin acknowledges that defining user intent is an "extraordinarily complex" challenge—one that prevents the achievement of "perfect security"—he argues for a multi-layered solution. Effective systems should require intent specifications in several overlapping formats, with the protocol acting only when these layers coincide. This shift is designed to counter the current landscape where complex routing paths often obscure malicious activity from the average user.

This push for enhanced wallet security coincides with a strategic pivot for Ethereum in 2026, where the focus returns to hardening the Layer 1 (L1) foundation while Layer 2 (L2) networks manage high-volume throughput. The urgency is underscored by data from January 2026, which recorded approximately $370.3 million in losses due to exploits and fraud—the highest figure in nearly 11 months. Notably, a single social engineering attack accounted for $284 million, proving that human-centric vulnerabilities like phishing and malicious signatures are often more dangerous than protocol flaws.

According to the Ethereum Foundation’s 2026 roadmap, the "Improve UX" pillar includes native account abstraction and the Open Intents framework to streamline cross-chain interactions. Transaction simulation serves as a vital safeguard alongside spending limits and multi-signature requirements. Furthermore, the "Harden the L1" initiative prepares the network for quantum threats and introduces mechanisms like FOCIL to ensure validator fairness.

The implementation of these security enhancements is scheduled across several major network upgrades. The "Glamsterdam" update is slated for the first half of 2026, followed by the "Hegotá" update later in the year. These milestones are expected to introduce significant technical improvements, including a substantial increase in the gas limit to 100 million units or more, ensuring the network can support these advanced security features.

Ultimately, Buterin’s advocacy for transaction simulation is far more than a niche technical proposal. It represents a cornerstone of Ethereum’s institutional strategy to rebuild and maintain user trust in an era of sophisticated digital threats. By aligning technical execution with human intent, the ecosystem aims to create a more resilient and transparent environment for all participants.