Vitalik Mentions "Enshrined ZK-EVM" Concept in Latest Blog Post

In his latest blog post, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin discussed the concept of "Enshrined ZK-EVM."

Vitalik Mentions "Enshrined ZK-EVM" Concept in Latest Blog Post

The post was shared on Vitalik Buterin's official X account under the title "What Would an Enshrined ZK-EVM Solution Look Like?"

The article begins by noting that the zk-SNARK solution could potentially verify Execution steps directly on Ethereum's Layer-1. However, due to the distant prospect of this scenario, Vitalik proposed the idea of implementing a zkEVM solution deeply integrated and nearly equivalent to Layer-1 (also known as Enshrined).

The criteria Vitalik set for this solution include:

Basic Ethereum-like features (such as block verification).
Ease of auditability and upgradability.
Maximal compatibility with the EVM.
Compatibility with diverse client software.
The Ethereum co-founder affirmed that supporting other languages compatible with the EVM is entirely feasible. Additionally, a Parallel EVM execution model is also under consideration.

Read More: What is Parallel Execution? Understanding Enhanced Blockchain Performance Solutions

However, these solutions will require careful consideration of technical adjustments in infrastructure to achieve maximum compatibility.

Read More: What is Metamask Wallet?

Compatibility with Diverse Client Software

Regarding the issue of supporting diverse Client software (software that operates verification units), Vitalik emphasized the importance of this factor in minimizing network security risks. Two proposed approaches include:

Closed system: Requires proof creation steps to use at least a few pre-defined ZKEVM mechanisms.
Open system: Proof created outside the block, and Verifiers can use any suitable Client to verify these Proofs.
To understand more about the operation (including proof creation and verification) of ZK solutions, readers can explore this article.

Read More: Comparing Fraud Proof and Validity Proof

Limitations

However, specific barriers remain concerning these approaches, notably in verification. The operation of numerous Client systems on the network will increase latency in proof creation and transaction verification, thereby increasing network operation costs.

Vitalik indicated that this could be partly addressed if Ethereum successfully integrates Single-Slot Finality, reducing the time for reaching consensus on past data in the network.

Another limitation is the current Stateful approach inadvertently creating unnecessary costs for zkEVM, specifically in data storage expenses.

Read More: Stateless Blockchain - Key to Ethereum's "Data Bottleneck"

How Will Other Layer-2 Solutions Fare?

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin asserted that even with the advent of the Enshrined zkEVM model, other Layer-2 solutions will continue to exist and fulfill specific roles:

Speeding up pre-confirmation.
Minimizing the impact of MEV.
Expanding access to new languages and virtual machine systems: Specifically, solutions like Arbitrum's Stylus and Starknet's Cairo are currently in progress.
Enhancing user convenience with a simpler experience.