Ethereum’s Buterin announces plans to bring some layer 2 functions back to the main chain | CoinDesk JAPAN

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin advocated moving much of the blockchain’s computational load to layer 2 networks, also known as “rollups,” three years ago, but recently added some of the functionality. announced plans to return it to the main chain. This idea is called “zkEVM enshrined.”

Zero-knowledge proofs and EVM

Prominent Layer 2 projects including Polygon, Matter Labs, and Scroll’s ZK (Zero Knowledge Proof) Rollup invest heavily to realize previous roadmaps Buterin’s “enshrined zkEVM” could be devastating. The new network is now live, project leaders are working to hire developers, and it has already collected billions of dollars in deposits from users.

“zkEVM” stands for “zero knowledge”, a type of cryptography considered a key technology to power future generations of blockchain, and the programming environment in which most Ethereum applications run. It is a combination of EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine).

The new rollup networks for Polygon, Matter Lab, and Scroll each have some version of zkEVM built into their systems. Rollup networks work by aggregating user transactions, reducing the load on the Ethereum network and benefiting end users with faster processing. These nets send aggregated transactions back to the Layer 1 Ethereum network along with a “zero-knowledge proof,” a cryptographic guarantee that they were recorded correctly.

In a recent blog post posted on the Ethereum Foundation’s website, Buterin explains that there is a simpler and less data-intensive way to read and verify data on the blockchain than full nodes, which can put a heavy burden on the hardware. Claims that one “light client” will become “increasingly powerful” over the next few years. He said Ethereum’s light clients “will soon reach the point” where they can fully verify transactions performed on layer 1 blockchains using zero-knowledge cryptography.

“At that point, the Ethereum network will essentially have zkEVM,” Buterin said. “Then the question becomes: Why not make that zkEVM natively available in rollups as well?” said.

What is the future development of layer 2 blockchain?

Buterin’s comments come as the Ethereum blockchain’s native token, Ethereum (ETH), has lagged behind tokens from competing blockchains amid a rise in digital asset markets this year. Ethereum is up 84%, while Solana (SOL) is up more than 8x and Avalanche (AVAX) is up 3x. Bitcoin (BTC) is up 153%.

Buterin, who has been promoting a “rollup-centric” roadmap for the Ethereum blockchain for several years, says there will still be a role for layer 2 networks under his new plan.

Buterin said, “While the protocol will handle the EVM verification functionality that is currently implemented independently by the Layer 2 team, the Layer 2 project will still be responsible for many important functions.” Stated.

Although quite technical, Buterin said such features include “rapid pre-checks,” “maximal extractable value (MEV) mitigation strategies,” “extension to EVM,” and “user interaction.” This includes “convenience for developers.”

“The Layer 2 team does a lot of work to attract users and projects into its ecosystem and make them feel welcome,” Buterin said, adding, “The Layer 2 team does a lot of work to attract users and projects into its ecosystem and make them feel welcome.” “We have been compensated for this by obtaining a refund. This relationship will continue.”

｜Translation and editing: Rinan Hayashi
｜Image: Bradley Keoun/modified by CoinDesk
｜Original text: Ethereum’s Buterin Floats Prospect of Taking Some Layer-2 Functions Back on Main Chain