Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Researchers Push Simplified Quantum-Secure Blockchain Design

Justin Drake, a researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, has proposed a new initiative known as “Lean Ethereum,” aimed at making the blockchain quantum-secure while simplifying its technical architecture [1]. The plan targets Ethereum’s execution, data, and consensus layers, seeking to enhance scalability and security while reducing complexity. Central to the initiative is the adoption of zero-knowledge-powered virtual machines, which allow for onchain data verification without revealing the actual data contents [1]. This approach is intended to secure the network against potential threats from quantum computing.

To further reduce the storage burden on the network, Drake has suggested implementing data availability sampling—a method that validates blocks by checking small, random portions rather than requiring full block downloads [1]. This technique aims to ensure the integrity of the blockchain without overloading node operators. The researcher also advocates for a shift to the RISC-V framework in Ethereum’s consensus layer, which uses a streamlined set of processor instructions to reduce technical attack surfaces and increase overall security [1].

The push for a simplified Ethereum architecture has drawn support from key figures in the ecosystem, including co-founder Vitalik Buterin. In May, Buterin expressed a desire to make Ethereum’s tech stack as streamlined as Bitcoin’s over the next five years [1]. He argued that excessive technical development has contributed to high development costs, increased security risks, and a relatively insular culture within Ethereum’s research and development community [1]. Buterin outlined a four-phase transition to RISC-V, a move he believes could significantly improve the speed and resilience of the network [1].

Other developers have also contributed to the conversation on Ethereum’s long-term sustainability. XinXin Fan, head of cryptography at decentralized blockchain platform IoTeX, has proposed quantum-proofing solutions such as hash-based zero-knowledge proofs [1]. These mechanisms aim to protect the entire Ethereum network from quantum threats while maintaining a seamless user experience.

The growing consensus among developers highlights a shared concern about Ethereum’s complexity and a collective effort to build a more secure, scalable, and user-friendly blockchain network [1].

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