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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin wants to see zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zk-EVMs) built on Ethereum\u2019s first layer to speed up the verification process on the base blockchain.<\/p>\n
Buterin explained in a March 31 post<\/a> that it\u2019s possible to integrate a zk-EVM on the base layer without compromising on decentralization and security. The technology enables Ethereum Virtual Machines to execute smart contracts on the blockchain with ZK proofs<\/a>. <\/p>\n How will Ethereum’s multi-client philosophy interact with ZK-EVMs?https:\/\/t.co\/MPpTPNhldR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) March 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ethereum was developed with a \u201cmulti-client philosophy\u201d to ensure decentralization at the protocol level, Buterin explained. By integrating zk-EVMs at the Ethereum layer 1, it would be the third type of client<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cOnce that happens, zk-EVMs de-facto become a third type of Ethereum client, just as important to the network’s security as execution clients and consensus clients are today.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The other two clients are the \u201cconsensus\u201d and \u201cexecution\u201d clients. The consensus client implements proof-of-stake to ensure nodes in the network reach agreement. While the execution listens to new transactions broadcasted in the network, executes them in standard EVM and holds a copy of the latest state of the blockchain.<\/p>\n In championing the idea of zk-EVM verification at the Ethereum base layer, Buterin firstly considered the advantages and drawbacks of treating the layer 1 as a \u201cclearinghouse\u201d by pushing almost all activity to layer 2\u2019s.<\/p>\n He said many layer 1-based apps would become \u201ceconomically nonviable\u201d and that small funds \u2014 worth a few hundred dollars or less \u2014 may get \u201cstuck\u201d in the event that gas fees grow too large.<\/p>\n Buterin explained that zk-EVMs would need to be \u201copen\u201d in that different clients each have different zk-EVM implementations and each client waits for a proof that is compatible with its own implementation before accepting a block as valid.<\/p>\n He prefers this approach because it wouldn\u2019t abandon the \u201cmulti-client\u201d paradigm, and an open zk-EVM infrastructure would also ensure that new clients could be developed, which would further decentralize Ethereum at the base layer. <\/p>\n Related: <\/em><\/strong>ConsenSys zkEVM set for public testnet to deliver secure settlements on Ethereum <\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Buterin said zkEVMs may be the solution to \u201cThe Verge,\u201d a part of the Ethereum roadmap which aims to make verification at the base layer easier.<\/p>\n Updated roadmap diagram! pic.twitter.com\/MT9BKgYcJH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 4, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Buterin acknowledged that the zk-EVM infrastructure may cause data inefficiency and latency issues, however he said those challenges wouldn\u2019t be \u201ctoo hard\u201d to overcome.<\/p>\n If the zk-EVM ecosystem is implemented, it would make running a full node on Ethereum even easier, Buterin explained:<\/p>\n \u201cEthereum blocks would be smaller than today, anyone could run a fully verifying node on their laptop or even their phone or inside a browser extension, and this would all happen while preserving the benefits of Ethereum’s multi-client philosophy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ethereum layer-2 scaling platform Polygon has made considerable progress with its zk-EVM, having recently open-sourced its zkEVM to the Polygon mainnet<\/a> on March 27, promising reduced transaction costs and increased throughput of smart contract deployments.<\/p>\n StarkWare, ConsenSys, Scroll, zkSync and Immutable are also deploying similar zkEVM scaling solutions. <\/a><\/p>\n Magazine: <\/em><\/strong>Attack of the zkEVMs! Crypto\u2019s 10x moment<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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