Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of ethereum, has proposed a new concept: the “enshrined ethereum zero-knowledge virtual machine (zkEVM).”
This initiative aims to improve the efficiency and security of ethereum's Layer-2 protocols, particularly optimists and ZK rollups, which are crucial to the scalability of the network.
zkEVM Layer-2 Solution by Vitalik Buterin
In a recent blog post, Vitalik Buterin highlighted the changing strength of ethereum “thin clients.” They are set to improve and will soon be able to use zero-knowledge cryptography to verify transactions on the primary chain.
This development, Buterin notes, will effectively integrate a zkEVM into ethereum, leading him to propose its potential use for rollup protocols as well.
ethereum's Layer 2 protocols are crucial to the scalability of the blockchain, but they rely heavily on EVM verification. The current method has a large and potentially vulnerable code base, which creates several challenges.
zkEVMs, designed to replicate the Layer 1 EVM, struggle to keep up with ethereum protocol updates, leading to duplicate efforts and increased security risks.
A post on the benefits and challenges of ZK-EVMs enshrined in layer 1:https://t.co/bRTKdtaFRL
There are different options and the trade-offs get complex!
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) December 13, 2023
To address these issues, Buterin suggests integrating a zkEVM directly into the ethereum blockchain. This internal zkEVM would take on the task of verifying layer 1 ethereum blocks, offering a more efficient and secure approach.
Buterin envisions that the main focus of the proposed zkEVM will be to verify ethereum blocks by processing inputs as a pre-state root, a block, and a post-state root. This ensures the integrity of the post-state root as the actual result of the block execution.
According to Buterin, the implementation of zkEVM presents several design challenges and trade-offs. It requires compatibility and adaptability to support multiple test systems, reflecting ethereum's multi-client environment.
It is also essential to provide data availability to satisfy different customers while ensuring auditability and updateability for easy inspection and quick issue resolution without hard forks. The system must also support 'Near-EVM' innovations, allowing Layer 2 solutions to extend and innovate standard EVM functionalities.
Buterin too ethereum.org/@vbuterin/enshrined_zk_evm” data-wpel-link=”external” target=”_blank”>defenders for an open system, where tests are externally verified, for its flexibility and compatibility with ethereum's core values despite its greater complexity.
Speed is also a critical aspect of zkEVM implementations. The goal is to reduce test generation time, allowing for near-instant processing using technological advances in parallelization and hardware acceleration.
Potential impact on layer 2 projects
Buterin's proposal could significantly impact existing Layer 2 projects like Polygon, Matter Labs, and Scroll, which have invested heavily to align with ethereum's previous roadmap.
Buterin, who for years has pushed ethereum down a “ethereum-magicians.org/t/a-rollup-centric-ethereum-roadmap/4698″ data-wpel-link=”external” target=”_blank”>focused on summary”, has assured that Layer 2 networks will continue to play an essential role, responsible for functions such as rapid pre-confirmations, MEV mitigation strategies, EVM extensions and conveniences for users and developers.
He notes that these teams are crucial to attracting users to their ecosystems and are compensated by capturing MEV and congestion charges within their networks. This relationship is expected to continue under the new plan.
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