Vitalik Buterin Presents New Roadmap to Improve Ethereum's Scalability, Security, and Finality

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has presented a new roadmap aimed at improving the security, finality, and scalability of Ethereum's Layer 2 (L2) solutions.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has proposed a new roadmap for improving the security, finality, and scalability of Ethereum’s Layer 2 (L2) solutions.

Buterin’s plan is to use a "2-of-3" multi-proof system to support Ethereum's scalability while also ensuring decentralization and minimal trust assumptions.

The three types of proofs Buterin suggests are optimistic proofs, zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs, and trusted execution environment (TEE) proofs. A transaction is finalized when two of these proofs agree.

This approach mitigates the risks associated with relying on a single proof method, striking a balance between speed, security, and decentralization.

Buterin also highlighted the importance of diversifying Ethereum's scalability solutions. He noted potential problems with over-reliance on zero-knowledge (ZK) systems. For instance, shared code among ZK rollups could lead to the spread of bugs, increasing systemic risks.

As noted by Wei Dai, a research partner at 1kxnetwork, Buterin’s proposal combines optimistic rollups with a multi-proof system. Each stage 2 rollup uses one type of proof and two out of three proofs are needed to finalize a block.

"This means that the finality of rollups can be as fast as zk proving (~<1hr for now) while protecting the system from soundness bugs in the zk system."

Stage 2 Rollups: Faster, More Secure Ethereum Transactions

The Stage 2 rollups outlined in Buterin’s roadmap aim to provide faster transaction confirmations and improved finality. These rollups would also offer stronger resistance to failures, even in semi-trusted environments.

Crucially, these rollups would still respect Ethereum’s 30-day upgrade delay, a rule designed to ensure stability during network upgrades. By following this delay, the system remains secure while transitioning to new technologies.

Shifting to Open-Source Funding for Development

Buterin’s proposals extend beyond Ethereum’s scalability. In a separate blog post, Buterin suggested shifting from public goods funding to open-source funding for blockchain development.

He expressed concerns that the term "public goods" has become politically charged, often benefitting projects that are more popular, but not necessarily those with the most impact.

Buterin argued that public goods funding is vulnerable to social desirability bias and tends to prioritize projects with strong community backing or those that align with prevailing social values, not necessarily projects that provide the greatest benefit to the Ethereum ecosystem.

Instead, Buterin believes the focus should be on open-source funding, which would be directed towards projects that are demonstrably beneficial to the Ethereum ecosystem. This shift in funding strategy, according to Buterin, would ensure greater transparency and collaboration within the crypto community, ultimately funding projects that are sustainable and valuable to the broader ecosystem.