Ethereum’s Immutable Code vs. Solana’s Speed: Vitalik Buterin Reaffirms “Invalid Can’t Become Valid”

Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin has once again emphasized a principle that lies at the very heart of the blockchain: “Invalid can’t become valid.”  Buterin used this statement to remind the crypto community that Ethereum’s code is built on the idea that certain rules should never be changed, no matter how tempting it might be to do so for the sake of performance or speed.

This rule means that transactions or actions considered invalid by the network can never later be made valid, even during updates or forks. It’s a safeguard designed to ensure absolute trust and prevent manipulation. Buterin’s comment arrives at a time when many are debating whether Ethereum, known for its security and reliability, is falling behind faster networks like Solana, which prioritizes speed and scalability.

Ethereum’s conservative approach has long been part of its identity. While other blockchains have taken shortcuts to achieve higher transactions per second (TPS), Ethereum’s developers have focused on security, decentralization, and transparency. Buterin believes this principle is what makes Ethereum a “fortress” in the crypto world, a network where trust cannot be compromised.

Ethereum’s Security vs. Solana’s Speed

The renewed discussion was sparked by the growing comparison between Ethereum and Solana. Solana processes about 65,000 transactions per second, while Ethereum averages around 15. This difference often fuels debates among traders and developers about what matters more speed or security. Supporters of Solana argue that its efficiency allows for a smoother user experience and better scalability, which could help attract mainstream adoption. However, Ethereum advocates say that the chain’s slower pace is the price of true decentralization and security.

Vitalik Buterin’s message reinforces Ethereum’s stance, no matter how attractive Solana’s speed looks, it cannot come at the cost of changing the fundamental rules of trust. In the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), where $3 billion has been lost to hacks since 2020, security remains a top priority.

The Prague Upgrade: Ethereum’s Path to Balance

Ethereum isn’t ignoring the need for scalability. Buterin and his team are preparing for the Prague/Electra upgrade, expected in early 2026. This update aims to increase Ethereum’s transaction capacity up to 100,000 TPS using a technology known as danksharding, a method that enhances data storage and processing without compromising decentralization.

This could allow Ethereum to compete with Solana’s speed while maintaining its commitment to immutability and security. The goal is to achieve both, a blockchain that’s fast enough for modern applications but still fundamentally trustworthy.

 

Feature	Ethereum	Solana
Transactions Per Second (TPS)	~15 (100,000 TPS after Prague)	~65,000
Security Model	Proof-of-Stake with strict validation rules	Proof-of-History and Proof-of-Stake hybrid
Core Philosophy	“Invalid can’t become valid” – immutability first	“Speed defines success” – scalability first
Outages	Rare due to decentralized validation	Experienced multiple network pauses
Future Upgrade	Prague/Electra (Q1 2026)	Firedancer client upgrade for scaling

 

Ethereum’s approach can be compared to a carefully built fortress, designed to last centuries while Solana’s resembles a high-speed train, efficient, but sometimes prone to mechanical faults.

This clash between Ethereum and Solana isn’t just about performance metrics; it reflects two distinct philosophies. Ethereum represents trust through rules, where security and consistency come before convenience. Solana represents innovation through speed, where progress means constantly pushing limits, even if it involves more risk. Vitalik’s statement “Invalid can’t become valid” symbolizes Ethereum’s refusal to compromise on integrity. It’s a reminder that while fast systems may attract temporary hype, systems built on trust and stability will stand the test of time.

What Lies Ahead for Ethereum and Solana

If Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades deliver as promised, it could close the gap with Solana’s speed without losing its core principles. Analysts predict that once the Prague upgrade goes live, Ethereum could see major growth in DeFi activity and total value locked (TVL), possibly surpassing $200 billion by 2026. However, if Solana continues to innovate successfully, it may still dominate in areas like NFT trading and high-frequency transactions, where speed is essential.

In simple terms, Ethereum is betting that trust and consistency will win in the long run, while Solana is betting that speed and performance will shape the next generation of blockchain users. Both have valid arguments but as Vitalik Buterin reminds the world, some principles, once set in code, should never be broken.

In the end, the question remains, Will the future of blockchain favor Solana’s speed or Ethereum’s immutability? The answer may define the next era of digital finance.