Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a far-reaching proposal aimed at boosting the scalability of the network’s execution layer. Buterin’s roadmap sets out a comprehensive overhaul to address structural bottlenecks in on-chain transaction validation and execution, signaling significant technical shifts for the world’s second-largest blockchain.
Binary State Tree and Streamlined Hashing
Central to the proposed changes is the replacement of the current Hexary Merkle Patricia Tree with a binary structure, alongside the adoption of a more efficient hash function. Labeled as EIP 7864, these adjustments are expected to substantially reduce Merkle branch sizes required for verification and lower the network’s bandwidth demands.
By streamlining the tree architecture, costs for light client operations and applications that query privacy-sensitive data will decrease. Highlighting the potential impact, Buterin explained that branches in the new design could be up to four times shorter than previously, making client verification and zero-knowledge proofs increasingly practical for real-world deployment.
The roadmap weighs Blake3 and Poseidon as contenders for the new hash function. Blake3 is noted for its speed improvements, while Poseidon is recognized for its efficiency in proof generation. Additionally, segmenting storage into pages ranging from 64 to 256 units could drive down expenses for contract execution and sequential storage access, enhancing the economic accessibility of on-chain computation.
Considering a Move from EVM to RISC-V
Another pivotal aspect of the roadmap is the potential migration from the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a new RISC-V based execution environment. Buterin acknowledged the growing complexity of Ethereum’s protocol and noted that certain developer preferences and technical limitations have made the existing EVM less attractive.
Adopting RISC-V, an open instruction set architecture, would provide a more minimalistic and flexible virtual machine. Notably, many modern proof generators already operate on the RISC-V standard, so aligning Ethereum’s own execution environment with this could lead to further improvements in efficiency and compatibility across the network.
“A RISC-V interpreter can operate with just a few hundred lines of code — this is what a blockchain virtual machine should aspire to,” Buterin emphasized.
The redesigned virtual machine is expected to lessen the need for precompiled functions and simplify numerous protocol-specific rules. There is also a focus on enabling users to generate proofs for smart contract calls directly on their own devices, a step that could pave the way for even deeper integration of zero-knowledge technologies throughout the network.
Gradual Implementation and Community Deliberation
According to Buterin’s roadmap, the transition would unfold in phases. Initially, the new virtual machine would allow only precompiled functions, providing a bridge for existing workflows. Over time, developers would gain the ability to deploy contracts natively within the updated environment.
During this transitional period, the current EVM is set to run alongside the new system, giving developers freedom to choose their preferred platform. Eventually, the plan is to retire the legacy EVM entirely, shifting all smart contract activity to the streamlined format.
While some changes in gas fees are anticipated during the transition, broader scaling steps are expected to balance out any fluctuations. Buterin observed that while incremental updates may address growing network demands in the short term, profound structural innovations offer a more robust and enduring solution to Ethereum’s long-term challenges.
