Quite recently Rive introduced Vector Feathering: https://rive.app/blog/introducing-vector-feathering

Illustrator uses raster-based Feather and Gaussian Blur, and — let’s admit it — we need them better: resolution-independent, infinitely scalable.
Instead we got just 'faster blur'...

And while you are here — there are many more blur-realted requests:
– Motion blur: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/32403883
– Background blur: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/36614008
– Gradient Feather: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/31911052
and more.

Stop toying with text-to-raster-then-trace toys!