Ethereum's Layer 1 zkEVM Rollout Plans Explained

The Ethereum Foundation has revealed an ambitious one-year strategy to integrate zero-knowledge proofs directly into its main blockchain. This initiative will start with an optional Layer 1 zkEVM client, which may become mandatory in the future. In a recent announcement titled “Shipping an L1 zkEVM #1: Realtime Proving,” protocol engineer Sophia Gold noted that validators will eventually verify blocks using three independent zk-proofs, eliminating the need to re-execute every transaction. These proofs will need to satisfy rigorous “real-time” standards, including a 99% block latency of 10 seconds, a minimum of 100-bit security, proof sizes under 300 KiB, and operation on hardware costing no more than $100,000 while consuming less than 10 kW. Initially, only a limited number of validators are expected to adopt the new client. However, as confidence builds through audits, detailed verification, and bug bounty programs, there's potential for increasing the gas limit, making proof checking the default operation. These zk-proofs also aim to empower native zk-rollups. Gold has challenged zkVM teams to meet the latency requirements by the upcoming Devconnect Argentina event in November, labeling it a “race to real-time.” If successful, this rollout would position Ethereum as the largest live application of zero-knowledge technology, paving the way for on-chain privacy, signature aggregation, and enhanced throughput. As Ethereum advances, it faces competition from other blockchain networks racing to implement zk proofs, with rollups already leveraging similar cryptographic technologies within Layer 2 solutions. Gold's latest update provides the clearest vision yet for the integration of this technology into Ethereum's consensus mechanism, bringing the ecosystem closer to a zk-friendly future envisioned by co-founder Vitalik Buterin. In conjunction with the zkEVM launch, the Ethereum Foundation is reorganizing its protocol and ecosystem development efforts to accelerate real-world adoption. New specialized teams will concentrate on core security systems as part of the “One Trillion Security” initiative, providing guidance for developers while expanding financial support through grants and strategic funding. Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media source providing news and research. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a major investor in The Block, which operates independently to deliver timely and objective insights into the crypto industry. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant as financial, legal, or tax advice.