TechFlame reports that according to DLNews, Vitalik Buterin stated at the Devconnect conference in Buenos Aires that Ethereum's base layer should gradually undergo "ossification," locking core functions to prevent the introduction of vulnerabilities. "More ossification over time is good for Ethereum. We have significantly fewer unexpected situations now," Vitalik told an audience of over 500 attendees. This marks a shift in Ethereum's focus from emphasizing flexibility to pursuing stability. For a network safeguarding hundreds of billions of dollars in value, being "boring" could be an advantage rather than a flaw. Vitalik emphasized that ossification does not mean a complete freeze: the consensus layer could be locked while the EVM remains flexible, or vice versa. The key is to shift innovation from the base layer to peripheral ecosystems such as Layer 2, wallets, and privacy tools. "Shifting focus from L1 to the surrounding ecosystem is healthy." He acknowledged that the early "spirit of exploration" has diminished with the proliferation of meme coins and the entry of institutional players, criticizing the "fast follower" mindset for stifling imagination.