TL;DR
- Buterin proposes a hybrid model for stronger blockchain application security.
- He suggests combining ZK proofs with other encryption methods.
- This approach addresses ZK’s lack of coercion resistance for voting.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin suggests a combined crypto approach to strengthen blockchain applications, specifically addressing digital voting weaknesses.
Vitalik Buterin recently detailed a new security model for cryptographic systems. He proposed integrating zero-knowledge proofs with other encryption methods. This hybrid structure aims to improve privacy and reliability for users. Buterin shared his analysis in a post on the social media platform X.
For voting, ZK does not offer coercion resistance, you do need {trusted party | MPC | FHE | TEE} for that.
But what you *can* do is layer ZK and eg. FHE together, so that even if the FHE breaks, you still have every property except coercion resistance due to the ZK.
I suspect a…
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 10, 2025
The proposal addresses a specific limitation of zero-knowledge proofs. Buterin stated that these proofs, known for verifying information without revealing it, lack a key feature. They cannot guarantee coercion resistance.
This property is essential for secure digital voting, as it prevents someone from forcing a voter to reveal their choice. Buterin wrote, “For voting, ZK does not offer coercion resistance; you do need a trusted party or other advanced systems for that.”
His solution involves building security in layers. Buterin recommends placing zero-knowledge proofs alongside other technologies like fully homomorphic encryption. In this setup, each layer provides a different type of protection.
The system therefore maintains its integrity even if one component fails. “If the FHE breaks, you still have every property except coercion resistance due to the ZK,” Buterin noted. This design creates a valuable safety net.
