Ethereum Prepares zkEVM Upgrade to Cut Validator Hardware Requirements

Ethereum is gearing up for a significant upgrade known as zkEVM, set to revolutionize its validator system by reducing hardware requirements. This move is poised to democratize participation in network security, allowing even home-based stakers to contribute effectively using less powerful hardware. The introduction of zkEVM is scheduled for implementation by the end of 2025, marking a pivotal moment for Ethereum’s ecosystem.

Sophia Gold, a prominent developer within the Ethereum Foundation’s protocol support team, shared insights with The Defiant about the current role of validators. These network participants currently engage in two primary functions: proposing blocks and validating their authenticity.

In a recent announcement, Ethereum developers outlined the zkEVM upgrade, highlighting a fundamental shift in the validation process. Instead of re-executing every transaction within a block, validators will verify compact zero-knowledge proofs. This streamlined approach is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce the computational burden on validators.

The Ethereum Foundation’s strategic rollout plan for zkEVM involves multiple stages. Initially, validators will be able to utilize ZK clients to verify three distinct proofs for each block, introducing a new layer of validation diversity. Subsequently, as more stake transitions to ZK clients, Ethereum intends to raise the gas limit and eventually transition entirely to proof verification.

When questioned about specific targets or timelines for minimizing hardware costs associated with proof verification, Gold emphasized Ethereum’s initial focus on optimizing gas limits. This optimization will be achieved through enhancements in client performance and protocol upgrades such as pipelining and repricing, setting the stage for a more cost-effective validation process.