Ethereum

2024

<figure>
 <figcaption>
 Cover image via <a href="https://u.today/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">U.Today</a>
 </figcaption>
</figure>
The conversations around Ethereum (ETH) and its data storage for optimal functionality have made it to crypto X with Polygon co-founder Mihailo Bjelic and Vitalik Buterin&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MihailoBjelic/status/1778831691437465899" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">debating</a> the possibilities. The conversation started with Bjelic posting a question in which he sought to know if developers are sure it is right to switch Ethereum to Verkle trees, given that its zk-fication is quite likely.
Wading into the conversation, Vitalik Buterin said, "ZK-ifying keccak merkle patricia trees with worst case 300 MB witness sizes is a non-starter." Notably, the Merkle Patricia trees form the current or primary data structure that is being used within the Ethereum blockchain. This data storage structure has its limits, and the plan soon is to replace it with Verkle trees with shorter proofs and increased bandwidth.
To Bjelic, the&nbsp;<a href="https://u.today/vitalik-buterin-reveals-how-to-make-ethereum-more-decentralized" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">current structure</a>, according to the capacity of&nbsp;<a href="https://u.today/polygon-zkevm-to-welcome-first-major-upgrade-details" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Polygon zkEVM</a>, can handle the 300 MB benchmark noted by Buterin. The Polygon founder noted that the protocol could even do this easily with a total block time of 12 seconds. He, however, acknowledged that for this to work, it would need approximately 10 server-class CPUs.
<h2 id="buterin-s-lasting-solution">Buterin's lasting solution</h2>
Per the presentation made by Vitalik Buterin, Merkle trees were not designed to be compatible with ZK technology. However, he noted that Verkle trees with a vector element are designed to help achieve this goal ultimately.
<blockquote>
 ZK-ifying keccak merkle patricia trees with worst case 300 MB witness sizes is a non-starter.The verkle tree spec is designed to be zk friendly (eg. choice of curve, using pedersen as the hash)So switching to verkle helps with ZKing the L1.— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalikButerin/status/1778832574741147762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">April 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
Per the design of the entire Ethereum architecture, ZK protocols are mostly embodied as Layer-2 scaling solutions. While these L2s have better throughput, scalability, gas fees and data storage, Ethereum still battles to keep up with scaling up amid the demand.
To convert Ethereum to a ZK-tech compatible network, Vitalik Buterin highlighted how this can only be achievable using Verkle trees. If this is achieved, ultimately, Ethereum may also benefit from the impacts of the&nbsp;<a href="https://u.today/15000-eth-moved-suddenly-as-ethereum-dencun-upgrade-activates" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Dencun upgrade</a> in the long term.

Vitalik Buterin Shares Take on Verkle Trees Coming to Ethereum

Table of Contents

U_Today

Other articles published on Apr 13, 2024

Shiba Inu Launches ‘The Shib’ Magazine, Sparking Excitement and Boosting Optimism in Crypto Commu...

VeChain unveils tokenized gloves in UFC partnership

Cardano’s price to fall by more than 13%? These signals will tell you…

Ethereum Whale Buys $121M ETH From Binance, Price Recovery Ahead?

Iran Launches Drone Attack On Israel In Escalation Of Tensions, Bitcoin Drops Sharply In Response

Top Crypto Gainers Today Apr 12 – Cronos, Conflux, Oasis Network, BitTorrent

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!