V God’s Tone: DeFi is the core value of Ethereum. "Founders disappear, the system keeps running" is what makes it qualified

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin today reiterated on social media that DeFi is a core component of Ethereum’s value proposition, and clearly defined the Foundation’s red line for supporting DeFi: permissionless, open-source, privacy-first, and security-first — and protocols must pass the “Exit Test,” meaning the system can continue to operate even if the founding team disappears.
(Background: The Ethereum Foundation promoted DeFi by establishing the “DeFipunk” team, but Vitalik has been selling off tens of thousands of ETH.)
(Additional context: The Ethereum Foundation is under pressure from multiple sides—how will it save itself?)

Today, Vitalik Buterin posted on X stating that DeFi is an important part of Ethereum’s core values. He believes financial empowerment is a key dimension for achieving autonomy and freedom in today’s world. While finance is far from Ethereum’s only use case, it is crucial.

DeFi Has Opened the Best Financial Opportunities to the World

Vitalik pointed out that current DeFi has already opened the world’s best savings, risk management, and wealth creation opportunities in a permissionless way, and the Ethereum Foundation needs to continue building on this foundation.

He recalled that the greatness of early Ethereum DeFi was in “daring to dream, innovate, and create entirely new paradigms.” Looking ahead, Vitalik urges the DeFi industry to revive this spirit:

Don’t just think about “building a better stablecoin,” delve deeper into fundamental issues and propose better solutions.

DeFi is a central part of the value that Ethereum provides. Financial empowerment is a central part of what it means to have agency and freedom in our current world. Finance is far from the only thing that Ethereum is good for, but it is an important thing. This post discusses… https://t.co/BGDRqrfUlI

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 24, 2026

Ethereum Foundation Sets Clear Red Lines for DeFi Support

Vitalik emphasized that the Ethereum Foundation’s support for on-chain finance and DeFi is not unconditional. He outlined a clear framework for the Foundation’s DeFi vision: a permissionless, open-source, privacy-first, security-first global financial system — maximizing user control over assets, minimizing centralized bottlenecks and trusted third parties, and democratizing risk management and wealth accumulation.

Additionally, Vitalik introduced the concept of the “Walkaway Test”: protocols should be able to pass this test — meaning they can continue operating even if the founding team suddenly disappears. He noted that achieving this vision still requires significant work.

It’s worth noting that the Ethereum Foundation recently established the “DeFipunk” team, dedicated to promoting the development of DeFi ecosystems aligned with these principles, demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to turning Vitalik’s vision into action.