Ansgar Dietrichs: zkEVM could be Ethereum’s biggest transformation, enhancing scaling by optimizing verification, and the shift to mandatory zk proofs will boost network efficiency | Bankless

Key takeaways

• zkEVM technology reduces computational effort by allowing nodes to verify blocks without re-executing them.
• An upcoming Ethereum fork is on the horizon, though not imminent.
• The zkEVM era could be Ethereum’s most impactful era due to its scaling benefits.
• zkEVM addresses blockchain scaling issues by optimizing verification processes.
• Transitioning to synchronous verification could lead to significant performance improvements.
• Galaxy is a leading platform offering diverse financial products in the digital asset space.
• Emerging markets may offer higher yields than traditional DeFi.
• Bitcoin’s decentralized verification leads to computational redundancy across blockchains.
• Zero-knowledge proofs could reduce redundant computations in blockchain systems.
• Cryptographic proofs streamline blockchain transaction verification, enhancing efficiency.
• Modern zero-knowledge systems simplify cryptographic proof creation using instruction set architecture.
• Ethereum’s layer one aims to achieve zk rollup performance with zkEVM.
• Ethereum’s design prioritizes verifiability and auditability, impacting its performance.
• Ethereum validators follow community-set rules, emphasizing decentralized governance.
• Ethereum’s scaling strategy includes both traditional methods and zkVM technology.

Guest intro

Ansgar Dietrichs is a Researcher at the Ethereum Foundation leading the Scale track, which consolidates efforts to improve Ethereum’s base-layer execution capacity, networking, and consensus mechanisms. He co-leads the zkEVM attester client initiative, which aims to replace the current model of re-executing every block with zero-knowledge proof verification to significantly reduce computational overhead. Dietrichs has been instrumental in directing benchmarking and engineering interventions to identify and resolve compute-heavy bottlenecks across Ethereum’s protocol.

The potential of zkEVM for Ethereum

• “The zkEVM allows nodes to verify blocks without re-executing them, significantly reducing computational effort.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• zkEVM technology enhances blockchain efficiency by optimizing compute verification.
• “The zkEVM era has the potential to be Ethereum’s best era due to its significant impact on scaling.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• zkEVM arose from the need to address scaling issues in blockchain technology.
• zkEVM enables significant scaling improvements for Ethereum by optimizing compute verification.
• “zkEVM might represent the biggest change ever for Ethereum.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• zkEVM improves Ethereum’s efficiency by reducing the need for disk I/O during transaction execution.
• With zkVM, validators can confirm block validity before applying state updates, enhancing transaction throughput.
• Partial statelessness allows Ethereum nodes to operate efficiently by maintaining only relevant state subsets.
• zk proofs allow block verification without downloading the entire block, optimizing bandwidth usage.
• The integration of zkEVM with Ethereum enhances scalability by addressing bandwidth, I/O, and compute constraints.
• Ethereum’s layer one will achieve zk rollup performance once zkEVM is fully operational.

The future of Ethereum’s scaling strategy

• Another Ethereum fork is on the horizon, though not imminent.
• “The transition from asynchronous to synchronous verification will lead to significant performance improvements in blockchain operations.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• Emerging markets are expected to generate substantial yields, potentially exceeding traditional DeFi.
• Ethereum aims for a threefold increase in throughput each year.
• Ethereum is pursuing both traditional scaling methods and zkVM technology in parallel.
• zkEVM enhances throughput but introduces minor latency due to an additional proving step.
• Ethereum’s finality time is expected to decrease significantly, potentially down to single slot finality.
• Ethereum’s block times and transaction assurances are expected to improve significantly soon.
• Ethereum will transition from optional to mandatory zk proofs, enhancing network efficiency.
• Within the next twelve months, Ethereum will begin rolling out zk proofs in an early production-ready state.
• The transition to zk nodes will require technical improvements, including block and blob integration.
• The transition to a new format for the Ethereum state tree is crucial for mandatory proofs.

The role of cryptographic proofs in blockchain efficiency

• Cryptographic proofs allow for blockchain transaction verification without re-execution, streamlining the process.
• Technological progress in cryptographic hashes is necessary for blockchain systems’ evolution.
• The evolution from handcrafted algorithms to general-purpose cryptography represents a significant advancement.
• Modern zero-knowledge systems are built using an instruction set architecture, simplifying cryptographic proof creation.
• Ethereum clients can now be compiled to RISC-V, allowing for efficient zero-knowledge proofs.
• “We are starting to achieve the target zone for proving full Ethereum blocks within five seconds.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• The last year has been pivotal for performance improvements in real-time proving.
• zk proofs optimize bandwidth usage by allowing block verification without downloading the entire block.
• zk proofs will become mandatory, significantly enhancing Ethereum’s network efficiency.
• “Formal verification in blockchain technology will become increasingly important, especially with the rise of AI.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• The transition to mandatory proofs may take longer than planned if necessary.
• The restructuring of internal expertise is crucial for adapting to new operations with zero-knowledge proofs.

The impact of zkEVM on Ethereum’s architecture

• zkEVM enables significant scaling improvements for Ethereum by optimizing compute verification.
• zkEVM might represent the biggest change ever for Ethereum.
• zkVM improves Ethereum’s efficiency by reducing the need for disk I/O during transaction execution.
• With zkVM, validators can confirm block validity before applying state updates, enhancing transaction throughput.
• Partial statelessness allows Ethereum nodes to operate efficiently by maintaining only relevant state subsets.
• zk proofs allow block verification without downloading the entire block, optimizing bandwidth usage.
• The integration of zkEVM with Ethereum enhances scalability by addressing bandwidth, I/O, and compute constraints.
• Ethereum’s layer one will achieve zk rollup performance once zkEVM is fully operational.
• Ethereum’s design prioritizes verifiability and auditability, impacting its performance.
• Ethereum validators follow community-set rules, emphasizing decentralized governance.
• In Ethereum, validators cannot unilaterally change chain rules; the community dictates them.
• Ethereum’s approach to scaling is shifting towards immediate solutions rather than waiting for long-term developments like zkVM.

The significance of zkEVM in Ethereum’s evolution

• zkEVM technology reduces computational effort by allowing nodes to verify blocks without re-executing them.
• “The zkEVM era has the potential to be Ethereum’s best era due to its significant impact on scaling.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• zkEVM arose from the need to address scaling issues in blockchain technology.
• zkEVM enables significant scaling improvements for Ethereum by optimizing compute verification.
• zkEVM might represent the biggest change ever for Ethereum.
• zkVM improves Ethereum’s efficiency by reducing the need for disk I/O during transaction execution.
• With zkVM, validators can confirm block validity before applying state updates, enhancing transaction throughput.
• Partial statelessness allows Ethereum nodes to operate efficiently by maintaining only relevant state subsets.
• zk proofs allow block verification without downloading the entire block, optimizing bandwidth usage.
• The integration of zkEVM with Ethereum enhances scalability by addressing bandwidth, I/O, and compute constraints.
• Ethereum’s layer one will achieve zk rollup performance once zkEVM is fully operational.
• Ethereum’s design prioritizes verifiability and auditability, impacting its performance.

The challenges and opportunities in Ethereum’s scaling journey

• Another Ethereum fork is on the horizon, though not imminent.
• The transition from asynchronous to synchronous verification could lead to significant performance improvements.
• Emerging markets are expected to generate substantial yields, potentially exceeding traditional DeFi.
• Ethereum aims for a threefold increase in throughput each year.
• Ethereum is pursuing both traditional scaling methods and zkVM technology in parallel.
• zkEVM enhances throughput but introduces minor latency due to an additional proving step.
• Ethereum’s finality time is expected to decrease significantly, potentially down to single slot finality.
• Ethereum’s block times and transaction assurances are expected to improve significantly soon.
• Ethereum will transition from optional to mandatory zk proofs, enhancing network efficiency.
• Within the next twelve months, Ethereum will begin rolling out zk proofs in an early production-ready state.
• The transition to zk nodes will require technical improvements, including block and blob integration.
• The transition to a new format for the Ethereum state tree is crucial for mandatory proofs.

The future of Ethereum’s architecture with zkEVM

• zkEVM enables significant scaling improvements for Ethereum by optimizing compute verification.
• zkEVM might represent the biggest change ever for Ethereum.
• zkVM improves Ethereum’s efficiency by reducing the need for disk I/O during transaction execution.
• With zkVM, validators can confirm block validity before applying state updates, enhancing transaction throughput.
• Partial statelessness allows Ethereum nodes to operate efficiently by maintaining only relevant state subsets.
• zk proofs allow block verification without downloading the entire block, optimizing bandwidth usage.
• The integration of zkEVM with Ethereum enhances scalability by addressing bandwidth, I/O, and compute constraints.
• Ethereum’s layer one will achieve zk rollup performance once zkEVM is fully operational.
• Ethereum’s design prioritizes verifiability and auditability, impacting its performance.
• Ethereum validators follow community-set rules, emphasizing decentralized governance.
• In Ethereum, validators cannot unilaterally change chain rules; the community dictates them.
• Ethereum’s approach to scaling is shifting towards immediate solutions rather than waiting for long-term developments like zkVM.

The transformative potential of zkEVM in blockchain technology

• zkEVM technology reduces computational effort by allowing nodes to verify blocks without re-executing them.
• “The zkEVM era has the potential to be Ethereum’s best era due to its significant impact on scaling.” – Ansgar Dietrichs
• zkEVM arose from the need to address scaling issues in blockchain technology.
• zkEVM enables significant scaling improvements for Ethereum by optimizing compute verification.
• zkEVM might represent the biggest change ever for Ethereum.
• zkVM improves Ethereum’s efficiency by reducing the need for disk I/O during transaction execution.
• With zkVM, validators can confirm block validity before applying state updates, enhancing transaction throughput.
• Partial statelessness allows Ethereum nodes to operate efficiently by maintaining only relevant state subsets.
• zk proofs allow block verification without downloading the entire block, optimizing bandwidth usage.
• The integration of zkEVM with Ethereum enhances scalability by addressing bandwidth, I/O, and compute constraints.
• Ethereum’s layer one will achieve zk rollup performance once zkEVM is fully operational.
• Ethereum’s design prioritizes verifiability and auditability, impacting its performance.