Ethereum revolutionizes security with Zero-Knowledge Proof

Ethereum is accelerating the transition towards a more secure and private blockchain by adopting Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK).

From consensus to execution, every layer of the stack will be gradually optimized to take advantage of this revolutionary technology.

The challenge of launching an L1 zkEVM in record time

The first major step in Ethereum’s journey towards ZK is represented by the deployment of an L1 zkEVM — an implementation of the Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible with ZK proofs. The strategy, to ensure speed and security, involves validators choosing clients that, instead of re-executing execution payloads, quickly verify stateless proofs created by various competing zkVMs.

The extremely compact proofs allow validators to download and check the validity of transactions with minimal resources, making the process more efficient and secure. This methodology leverages client diversity as a defensive barrier, similar to what already happens in the traditional Ethereum network. However, the verification of proofs will initially occur offchain, using the support of a pipeline in Glamsterdam to align the necessary technical times.

In the initial phase, only a minority of validators will adopt ZK clients. Security will be progressively consolidated, supported by initiatives from the Ethereum Foundation through audits, formal verification, bug bounties, and increasingly detailed specifications. Adoption will then grow incrementally.

Ethereum, security, and future: the gradual adoption of ZK clients

When a qualified majority of stake is ready to use ZK clients, Ethereum will be able to raise the gas limit, eliminating the need for validators to re-execute all blocks. Validators will only handle block verification through proofs, reducing computational load and promoting scalability.

Moreover, the same proof structure can be used, through a precompile function EXECUTE, to power native zk-rollups.

The zkVM ecosystem at the center of security for Ethereum

One of the strengths of this strategy is the involvement of the community and the entire zkVM sector (virtual machines compatible with Zero-Knowledge proofs). Currently, many zkVMs are already testing their capabilities on the Ethereum mainnet, introducing weekly improvements.

This competition and collaboration promise to accelerate performance and strengthen the entire ecosystem.

Realtime proving: defining new security standards

To preserve the historical security properties, functionality, and censorship resistance of the chain, the Ethereum Foundation proposes a standard of realtime proving that all zkVM teams must follow. Ultimately, every proof system must guarantee 128 bits of security: indeed, while the initial threshold will be 100 bits, the aim is to increase this value over time.

To avoid critical points and favor speed, each proof must weigh less than 300KiB and cannot rely on recursive structures with trusted setups. These constraints ensure that even nodes operating in home proving mode — that is, managed by private stakers at home — can participate without technical barriers or prohibitive costs.

Home proving: decentralization and zero censorship

The goal, declared by the Ethereum Foundation, is to maintain high liveness and resilience to censorship attempts by enabling the verification of ZK proofs even in a home environment. Pending full enforcement of transaction inclusion (through solutions like EIP-7805), home proving systems strengthen the defense against censorship, giving anyone the ability to validate blocks.

Costs, sustainability, and energy: accessible proof for everyone

Proofs executed in the cloud are already within reach today, thanks to multi-GPU spot instances. However, the challenge now shifts to optimizing local proofs. The main parameters to respect, set in the design standard, are:

Latency: maximum 10 seconds for 99% of mainnet blocks

Local CAPEX: no more than 100,000 USD for equipment

Power: under 10 kW, a limit easily met by most homes

Open Source: the code must be entirely open

Security: at least 128 bits on proof security

Proof size: no larger than 300KiB per block

Considering that today the minimum stake to start a validator is about 80,000 USD, the set budget remains proportionate and inclusive. Additionally, technological efficiency should lead, over time, to a reduction in the hardware costs necessary to actively contribute to the network.

A global race towards efficiency and decentralization

With the current slot time of 12 seconds per block, and about 1.5 seconds for data propagation, the goal is clear: zkVM systems must demonstrate in practice that they can generate validity proofs for 99% of mainnet blocks in less than 10 seconds. Any DoS attacks or vulnerabilities will be addressed through future updates (hard forks), ensuring constant progress in terms of security and performance.

From now until Devconnect Argentina, anticipation grows around the innovation of zkVM teams. The protagonists who manage to win the challenge of realtime home proving will be central to Ethereum’s infrastructure, pushing the network towards real and efficient decentralization.

Prospects and impact: Ethereum at the center of the ZK revolution

The adoption of Zero-Knowledge Proofs sets Ethereum on course to become the leading platform in privacy, scalability, and blockchain security. The new shared standards lower entry barriers for private and institutional validators, while the collaboration between the Foundation, developers, and zkVM operators ensures a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement.

Monitoring the evolution of the L1 zkEVM and the standards of realtime proving means closely observing the development of an entire industry ready to change the paradigm of decentralized finance.

Those intending to participate as validators or developers should closely follow the progress of this revolution.

In particular, zero-knowledge rollups represent a key technology to improve Ethereum’s scalability, while Chainlink data feeds enhance DeFi and crypto innovation on Polygon zkEVM.

Additionally, the Nil Foundation stands out as an Ethereum scaling company introducing a security-focused zkEVM.