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Buterin weighs in on zk-EVMs’ impact on decentralization and security

April 3, 2023No Comments


Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin wants to see zero-knowledge Ethereum virtual machines (zk-EVMs) built on the first layer of Ethereum to speed up the verification process on the base blockchain.

Buterin explained in a March 31 mail that it is possible to integrate a zk-EVM into the base layer without compromising decentralization and security. The technology enables Ethereum virtual machines to execute smart contracts on the blockchain with ZK tests.

Ethereum was developed with a "multi-client philosophy" to ensure decentralization at the protocol level, Buterin explained. By integrating zk-EVM into layer 1 of Ethereum, it would be the third type of client.

"Once that happens, zk-EVMs become a de facto third type of Ethereum client, just as important to network security as runtime clients and consensus clients are today."

The other two clients are the "consensus" and "execution" clients. The consensus client implements proof-of-stake to ensure that nodes on the network reach agreement, while the execution client listens for new transactions broadcast to the network, executes them on standard EVMs, and retains a copy of the most recent state. of the block chain.

In championing the idea of ​​zk-EVM verification on the Ethereum base layer, Buterin first considered the trade-offs of treating layer 1 as a "clearing house" by moving almost all activity to layer 2.

He said many Tier 1-based applications would become "economically unfeasible" and that small funds, worth a few hundred dollars or less, could be "stuck" if gas rates grow too high.

Buterin explained that zk-EVMs would have to be "open" in the sense that different clients have different zk-EVM implementations and each client waits for a proof that it is compatible with its own implementation before accepting a block as valid.

He prefers this approach because it would not abandon the "multi-client" paradigm, and an open zk-EVM infrastructure would also ensure that new clients could be developed, further decentralizing Ethereum at the base layer.

Related: ConsenSys zkEVM set up for public testnet to offer secure deals on Ethereum

Buterin said that zkEVM could be the solution for "The Verge," a part of the Ethereum roadmap that aims to make verification easier at the base layer.

Buterin acknowledged that the zk-EVM infrastructure could cause data inefficiency and latency issues, however, he said those challenges would not be "too difficult" to overcome.

If the zk-EVM ecosystem is implemented, it would be even easier to run a full node on Ethereum, Buterin explained:

“Ethereum blocks would be smaller than today, anyone could run a full verification node on their laptop or even on their phone or within a browser extension, and all this would happen while preserving the benefits of the multi-client philosophy. of Ethereum".

Ethereum's Layer 2 scaling platform Polygon has made considerable progress with its zk-EVM, and recently opened your zkEVM to the main Polygon network on March 27, promising reduced transaction costs and increased performance of smart contract implementations.

StarkWare, ConsenSys, Scroll, zkSync and Immutable is also implementing similar zkEVM scaling solutions.

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