A zk-EVM on Ethereum – For several months, the second layer solutions have been constantly evolving on Ethereum. However, L2s of the zk-rollups family must implement zk-EVMs to be able to host an ecosystem similar to Ethereum. From now on, Vitalik Buterin wishes integrate zk-EVM directly on Ethereum.
A zk-EVM on the Ethereum core layer
There are two main families of rollups, the optimistics rollups and zk-rollups. Simply put, Optimistic Rollups are easier to set up because they can host the EVM without major modifications.
On the other hand, zk-rollups need a specialized EVM that handles zero-knowledge proofs, called zk-EVM.
On March 31, Vitalik Buterin published a blog post aimed at explore the possibility of integrating a zk-EVM with the Ethereum core layer. All without compromising decentralization and security.
The objective of the approach would be to allow the Ethereum virtual machine toexecute smart contracts containing zero-knowledge proofs.
However, this would require the creation of a new type of customer. Indeed, Ethereum was developed with a multi-client philosophy to ensure the decentralization of the protocol. By integrating zk-EVMs with Ethereum layer 1, the protocol should have a third type of client.
“Once this is done, zk-EVMs become a de facto third type of Ethereum client, just as important for network security as current runtime and consensus clients. »
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The future of zk-EVMs on Ethereum
So far, zk-EVMs are restricted to use on layers 2. They improve scalability and save gas costs.
“They allow expensive EVM execution to only occur a few times off-chain, with all others just checking for SNARKs posted on-chain that prove the EVM execution was calculated properly. »
However, as we have just seen, Buterin does not want to restrict the zk-EVMs to L2, but the carry on the main Ethereum layer. For this, he imagined two distinct cases.
Option 1: Restrict layer 1 and force almost all activity to go to layer 2
This option offers reduce gas limit per block from 15 million to 1 million, forcing the majority of user activity to move to Layer 2 protocols.
Despite this, several weaknesses are associated with this approach: it makes some Layer 1 based applications economically unviableit might not make verification easy enough, and even in a Layer 2-focused ecosystem, it’s beneficial for Layer 1 to remain affordable.
“In such a world, Layer 1’s sole function would be to be a clearinghouse for Layer 2 protocols, verifying their proofs and occasionally facilitating large transfers of funds between them. »
Option 2: Verify layer 1 with SNARK
This option suggests using a zk-EVM type 1 to verify the EVM execution of a block on Ethereum.
While this presents a challenge for developers, there’s no technological reason why it couldn’t be achieved.
Three Options are possible for using zk-EVMs to verify layer 1
- a single zk-EVM;
- a closed set of several zk-EVMs;
- an open set of several zk-EVMs.
The third option seems to be the most optimal for Buterin, as it preserves the multi-client philosophy.
However, the zk-EVM still need to evolve to be fully viable at layer 1 in the short term. However, according to Buterin the first stages of the transition could start sooner than expected with the introduction of Verkle trees and stateless clients.
For its part, the Ethereum network is preparing to evolve via the Shanghai update. This will take place on April 12 and will mark the opening of withdrawals for ETH deposited in staking and rewards.
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