Buterin Considers Reintegrating Some Layer-2 Functions into Ethereum's Main Chain

• Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin Proposes Integration of Functions Back onto the Main Chain
• New Layer-2 Networks and the Role of zkEVM
• Light Clients and the Future of Ethereum Network
• What Role Remains for Layer-2 Blockchains?
• Layer-2's Continued Importance

Ethereum Co-founder Vitalik Buterin Proposes Integration of Functions Back onto the Main Chain

Vitalik Buterin, one of the co-founders of Ethereum$2,315 -2.42%, proposed a plan three years ago for offloading more computational load from the blockchain to the associated layer-2 networks or rollups. Recently, he has outlined a potentially disruptive plan to reintegrate some of these functions back into the main chain. His concept for a enshrined zkEVM could significantly impact prominent layer-2 projects such as ZK-rollups from Polygon$0.967 -3.65%, Matter Labs, and Scroll, who have been heavily investing in the previous roadmap execution.

New Layer-2 Networks and the Role of zkEVM

The newly established networks have already begun operation, with project leads actively recruiting developers and successfully attracting billions in user deposits. The term zkEVM combines zk, an acronym for zero-knowledge cryptography, which is believed to play a key role in future blockchain generations, and EVM, standing for Ethereum Virtual Machine - the environment in which most Ethereum apps operate.

Rollup networks established by Polygon, Matter Labs, and Scroll incorporate a version of zkEVM, which aims to reduce the load on Ethereum and enhance user experience by bundling transactions. The bundled transactions are then reintroduced to the layer 1 Ethereum network with a cryptographic guarantee known as a zero-knowledge proof, affirming their correct recording.

Light Clients and the Future of Ethereum Network

In a recent blog posted on the Ethereum Foundation's website, Buterin predicted that light clients (a more streamlined and less data intensive means of reading and verifying blockchain data) will increase in capabilities over the next few years. It is expected that they will soon be able to rely on zero-knowledge cryptography to fully verify transactions executed on the layer-1 chain.

Buterin suggested that upon reaching this stage, the Ethereum network will effectively have an inbuilt zkEVM, leading to the proposition: Why not make zkEVM natively available for rollups too?

What Role Remains for Layer-2 Blockchains?

Buterin's announcements come at a time when ether (ETH), Ethereum's native cryptocurrency, has been outpaced in the market rally this year by tokens from rival blockchains. ETH has seen an increase of 84%, while Solana$104 5.03%'s SOL and Avalanche's AVAX have seen surges of more than an eight-fold and triple their value respectively. The leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin$42,260 -0.64%, has seen a 153% gain.

Despite this, Buterin, who has long been advocating a rollup-centric roadmap for Ethereum, believes that the layer-2 networks will retain a significant role under his new plan.

Layer-2's Continued Importance

Buterin suggests that while the EVM verification functionality, currently implemented by layer-2 teams independently, would be handled by the protocol, the layer-2 projects would continue to manage major functions. These tasks involve fast pre-confirmations, MEV mitigation strategies, extensions to the EVM, and user and developer-facing conveniences.

Layer-2 teams are also heavily involved in growing their user bases and project ecosystems and ensuring a positive environment. They are rewarded for their efforts through capturing MEV and congestion fees within their networks, a relationship Buterin suggests will continue in the future.

Edited by Jonathan Stoker