Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Aims for Simpler Quantum-Resistant Architecture with 'Lean Ethereum' Plan

Ethereum researcher Justin Drake has proposed a strategic initiative known as “Lean Ethereum,” aimed at simplifying the blockchain’s technical architecture and making it quantum-resistant. The plan targets Ethereum’s core components—the execution, consensus, and data layers—with the goal of enhancing security and reducing complexity [1]. This initiative comes amid growing concerns from developers and co-founders about the network’s current technical intricacies, which have contributed to higher development costs and fragmented research efforts [1].

A central element of the proposal is the adoption of zero-knowledge powered virtual machines. These systems would enable data verification onchain without revealing the data itself, thus providing privacy and protection against quantum threats [1]. In parallel, Drake suggested the use of data availability sampling to reduce the storage burden on nodes. This technique allows nodes to verify block integrity by checking only random fragments of a block, rather than downloading the entire block [1].

To enhance the consensus layer, Drake advocates for a transition to the RISC-V architecture—a modular and simplified instruction set that is designed to reduce vulnerabilities and improve security. Proponents argue that RISC-V minimizes attack surfaces and potential backdoors, making it an attractive option for Ethereum’s long-term resilience [1]. This aligns with broader developer interest in simplifying the network to make it more accessible and secure.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly supported the need for architectural simplification. He highlighted that excessive technical development on Ethereum has contributed to inflated costs, security risks, and a narrow research culture [1]. In April, Buterin proposed a four-phase plan to transition Ethereum’s consensus layer to RISC-V, aiming to improve performance and robustness. He also reiterated his desire to make Ethereum’s architecture as simple and efficient as Bitcoin’s within the next five years [1].

Other figures in the blockchain space, including XinXin Fan, head of cryptography at IoTeX, have explored quantum-resistant solutions such as hash-based zero-knowledge proofs. These approaches aim to secure the network without compromising usability or user experience [1].

While the “Lean Ethereum” proposal is still in the conceptual stage, it reflects a shared understanding among Ethereum’s developer community that the network must evolve to remain competitive and secure. The initiative underscores the urgency of addressing quantum threats and technical complexity, positioning Ethereum for a more sustainable and user-friendly future [1].

Source: [1] [Justin Drake Proposes 'Lean Ethereum'](https://cointelegraph.com/news/justin-drake-proposes-lean-ethereum)