In his blog, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin unveiled an updated roadmap for the blockchain, focusing on expanding Layer 2 and enhancing scalability while maintaining decentralization and security. This initiative has been dubbed The Surge.
Buterin reminded readers of Ethereum's original scaling strategies, such as sharding
Dividing data storage into smaller segments that can be stored on separate servers. and Layer 2 (L2) protocolsLayer 2 solutions are protocols deployed on top of the main blockchain (Layer 1) designed to enhance its scalability.. He pointed out that Ethereum initially had two scaling strategies that involved distributing transactions across various nodes through sharding and utilizing Layer 2 solutions to lessen the load on the main chain.
In 2019, rollupsRollups are a method to make the blockchain faster and more efficient. They work by conducting most operations off the main network using L2, and then these operations are collected and sent to the blockchain in "batches" to save time and space. were developed, optimizing the use of L2 solutions by combining them with sharding, which has become the central scaling strategy for Ethereum.
The Surge aims to achieve several key objectives: increasing throughput to 100,000+ TPS, maintaining the decentralization and security of L1, and ensuring maximum compatibility between different L2 solutions. Currently, Ethereum's blockchain throughput is 12-15 TPS, indicating an expected increase by approximately 7,000 times.
One of the primary techniques to achieve this goal is Data Availability Sampling (DAS). This method allows nodes to verify that the block data is fully accessible without needing to download and store all the information. Buterin explained that currently, L1 throughput is limited, but the planned implementation of PeerDAS will enable more efficient data availability checks and increase TPS.
The current rollup technology on Ethereum processes around 174 transactions per second (TPS). With the new PeerDAS technology, the number of processed transactions could rise to 463-926 TPS.
In the medium term, Ethereum aims to handle 58,000 TPS by increasing the data size to 16 megabytes per slot and enhancing rollup data compression.
Additionally, The Surge roadmap includes data compression technologies and improvements to L2 protocols, such as Plasma utilizing SNARKs. Plasma is a scaling solution where only a fraction of Layer 2 data is published on-chain, referred to as a Merkle root. The Merkle root is the highest hash in the Merkle treeA Merkle tree (or hash tree) is an algorithm that allows obtaining a single hash for multiple data fragments. This method is used for validating file integrity and verifying information.. This is the hash of all data blocks combined, which is used to ensure data integrity. It is generated by taking the hashes of individual data blocks and combining them.
Buterin also emphasized the necessity of improving interaction among various L2 solutions for user convenience, including standardizing addresses and simplifying transactions between blockchains.
He noted that decentralization remains a priority. Distributed Validator Technology (DVT) will help prevent the centralization of control in staking.
Furthermore, according to the Ethereum co-founder, preparations are underway to address potential quantum attacks through investigating quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. KZG (Kate-Zaverucha-Goldberg) is a cryptographic method currently utilized in the system. Although KZG is effective now, it may be vulnerable to quantum attacks in the future.
In light of Buterin's detailed plan to improve the blockchain, the price of Ether (ETH), Ethereum's native cryptocurrency, has increased to $2,618 (up 8.15% for the week at the time of writing this news).
Source: Vitalik Buterin's website
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