Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a "de-scaling test" for the Ethereum network, aiming to achieve a future where the network can operate independently of developers. He outlined a seven-point upgrade checklist for the coming years, including achieving full quantum resistance, scalability through zero-knowledge proof virtual machine (ZK-EVM), and an censorship-resistant proof-of-stake model. Buterin emphasized that the ultimate goal is to "solidify" the protocol into a durable, trustless infrastructure that only requires parameter adjustments, without the need for continuous thorough overhauls, ensuring its security and functionality for decades to come.