Can Ethereum maintain its radical openness and decentralization while evolving into trusted infrastructure? The comparison with Linux offers compelling insights—both systems demonstrate that robust decentralization doesn't contradict institutional adoption. Rather than sacrificing core principles, Ethereum's design allows it to serve individuals, enterprises, and even governments simultaneously. This dual nature—remaining fundamentally open-source and community-governed while powering mission-critical applications—mirrors how Linux transformed from fringe project to backbone of global infrastructure. The key lies in protocols that preserve permissionless participation without compromising reliability or security.