Vitalik Buterin, one of the founders of Ethereum, proposed a comprehensive execution layer innovation to increase the scalability of the network. The roadmap announced by Buterin brings forward structural changes to overcome bottlenecks in transaction verification and execution on the chain.
Binary State Tree and Hash Functions
Proposed innovations include switching to a binary network and a more efficient hash function, replacing the current Hexary Merkle Patricia Tree. This proposal, presented with the code EIP 7864, will reduce the size of the Merkle branch required for verification and reduce the need for bandwidth.
With the simplification of the structure, the cost of on-chain light client and privacy-sensitive information query applications will also decrease. Vitalik Buterin stated that the branches in the chain can be four times shorter compared to the current structure, and that this development will make client verification and zero-knowledge proofs more feasible.
It is stated that Blake3 and Poseidon are evaluated as hash functions. While Blake3 offers an increase in speed in the proposed new structure, it is stated that Poseidon can also take the proof producer efficiency further. In addition, by dividing storage areas into pages ranging from 64 to 256, it is aimed to reduce the costs of contract execution and access to consecutive storage areas.
Possibility of Migrating from Ethereum Virtual Machine to RISC-V
Another important topic in the road map is the transition to a new RISC-V based virtual machine instead of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Vitalik Buterin emphasized that the protocol has become complex over time and some developers do not prefer EVM due to restrictions.
It was stated that the transition to RISC-V, an open standard instruction set, would provide a simpler and more flexible environment. However, it is reported that many proof producers are working with RISC-V today, so ensuring that the network’s execution environment is compatible with this standard will contribute to chain efficiency.
“A RISC-V interpreter can work with only a few hundred lines of code, which is exactly what a blockchain virtual machine should be,” Vitalik Buterin said.
It is anticipated that the renewed virtual machine will reduce the need for precompiled functions and simplify the special rules in the protocol. Additionally, the possibility of users generating verification of smart contract calls on their own devices is being considered. This approach can also accelerate the integration of zero-knowledge technology in general.
Phase-in Process and Community Discussions
The prepared road map recommends that these changes be implemented gradually. At the initial stage, it is planned to allow only precompiled functions to run on the new virtual machine. Developers will then be able to deploy their contracts directly in the new environment.
The existing EVM will continue to work with the new virtual machine for a while, and developers will be given the opportunity to choose one of two environments. In the final stage, the traditional EVM will be completely transferred to the new environment and progress in the form of a smart contract.
While it is noted that there may be changes in gas prices during the transition period, general scaling steps are expected to reduce these effects. Buterin said it might be possible to meet the chain’s ever-increasing demands with just small upgrades; But he stated that radical changes point to a structural improvement.
