Ethereum to Launch zkEVM for 99% Block Verification in 10 Seconds

Ethereum is set to launch a Layer-1 zkEVM (zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine) within the next 12 months, marking a significant advancement in the network's scalability and privacy. This initiative, led by developer Sophia Gold, aims to integrate zero-knowledge proofs directly into Ethereum's core protocol, enabling more efficient transaction verification and enhanced privacy features.

The zkEVM will allow Ethereum to process transactions and smart contracts more efficiently, reducing on-chain data and improving overall network performance. Unlike current Layer-2 solutions that rely on separate networks for scalability, the zkEVM will integrate zero-knowledge technology directly into the Layer-1 chain. This integration is expected to increase transaction throughput, lower gas costs over time, and enhance user and developer privacy, making Ethereum more competitive against newer chains focused on scalability.

The roadmap for this integration involves a phased approach, starting with a select group of validators running specialized ZK clients alongside existing software. As the system gains confidence through rigorous audits, formal verification, and expanded bug bounties, the network will gradually shift from transaction replay to proof verification by default. This transition is designed to enhance the network's throughput, reduce computational costs, and introduce advanced privacy features.

The performance benchmarks for the zkEVM are stringent, with proofs required to verify 99% of blocks within 10 seconds, maintain at least 128-bit security, compress under 300 KiB, and operate on commodity hardware costing no more than $100,000 with under 10 kW of power. These targets ensure that the zkEVM can handle real-time proving, positioning Ethereum as a leading live ZK application.

To drive adoption, the Ethereum Foundation plans to offer formal verification grants, expanded bug bounties, and community-driven code reviews. Dedicated security teams, such as the "One Trillion Security" initiative, will support the ecosystem, encouraging more nodes to join. Over time, proof-checking could become mandatory, unlocking higher throughput and reducing costs for the entire network.

Beyond scalability, the integration of native zk-proofs promises enhanced privacy, signature aggregation, and richer smart-contract capabilities. Once validators can verify multiple independent ZK proofs instead of re-executing transactions, Ethereum will pave the way for on-chain confidential data handling and advanced Layer 2 rollups. This upgrade is set to redefine the role of zero-knowledge proofs in the Ethereum ecosystem, making it more efficient, secure, and scalable.

With this roadmap, Ethereum is positioning itself for long-term dominance in Web3. The move toward a zk-friendly protocol stack not only makes Ethereum more scalable but also more adaptable for future technologies in privacy, identity, and decentralized applications. This initiative brings clarity to the timeline for ZK-proof integration, with Ethereum potentially evolving into a full-fledged zk-powered blockchain within 12 months, transforming the network for users, developers, and enterprises alike.