Ethereum's PeerDAS Gambit: Scaling Without Sacrificing Decentralization

Ethereum’s data storage challenges are intensifying as on-chain blob usage surges, raising concerns about the feasibility of home staking and long-term network scalability. According to on-chain analyst Hildobby, Ethereum validators now require over 70 gigabytes of storage to manage blobs—a temporary data container introduced via EIP-4844 to reduce Layer-2 (L2) costs. If unaddressed, this figure could escalate to 1.2 terabytes, threatening to strain decentralized infrastructure and centralize node operationsVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1]. The rapid adoption of blobs, driven by L2 solutions like Base, Worldcoin, and Scroll, has exacerbated the issue, prompting Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin to advocate for a critical upgrade: Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS).

Buterin’s proposed PeerDAS strategy aims to distribute blob storage responsibilities across the network, preventing any single node from bearing the full load. The mechanism relies on probabilistic verification, where nodes request small data chunks to ensure more than 50% of the dataset is available. This approach leverages erasure coding to reconstruct missing data, reducing storage demands while maintaining integrityVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1]. However, Buterin acknowledges that complete block data remains necessary during initial broadcasts or rebuilds, emphasizing the need for “honest actors” to fulfill these roles. The system’s resilience against malicious actors is ensured through redundancy, as nodes can step in if partial data is compromisedVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1].

The Ethereum core development team is cautiously advancing PeerDAS through staged upgrades to mitigate risks. The first of these, the Blob Parameter Only (BPO) fork on December 17, 2024, will increase blob targets from 6/9 to 10/15 per block. A follow-up fork on January 7, 2026, will further raise limits to 14/21. This phased rollout allows developers to monitor performance and adjust parameters incrementally, balancing scalability with network stabilityVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1]. Buterin projects that these changes will catalyze higher blob adoption, laying the groundwork for future capacity increases and enabling Ethereum’s base layer to eventually handle all execution data via blobsVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1].

The broader Ethereum roadmap, outlined in Buterin’s blog, envisions scaling the network to 100,000 transactions per second (TPS)—a stark contrast to its current capacity of 173.6 TPS using blobs or 607 TPS including calldata. Key technologies include Data Availability Sampling (DAS), L2 data compression, and generalized Plasma with SNARKs. DAS, which includes 1D and 2D sampling methods, enhances throughput while preserving decentralization. Meanwhile, L2 compression techniques like signature aggregation and address optimization aim to reduce on-chain data footprintsEthereum’s Surge Roadmap Targets 100,000 Transactions Per Second^[2]. These innovations collectively address the scalability trilemma, balancing security, decentralization, and throughput through cryptographic proofs and distributed verificationEthereum’s Surge Roadmap Targets 100,000 Transactions Per Second^[2].

Buterin’s analysis underscores the necessity of peer-reviewed, trustless systems to sustain Ethereum’s growth. The phased deployment of PeerDAS and BPO forks reflects a measured approach to scaling, prioritizing stability over rapid expansion. By distributing data availability checks across the network, Ethereum aims to prevent centralization risks while maintaining L2 cost efficiency. This strategy aligns with the broader “Surge” roadmap, which includes “The Verge” (simplified block verification), “The Purge” (storage reduction), and “The Splurge” (additional optimizations). Together, these phases position Ethereum to transition from a 15–30 TPS network to one capable of handling hundreds of thousands of transactions per secondEthereum’s Surge Roadmap Targets 100,000 Transactions Per Second^[2].

Ethereum’s evolution remains contingent on navigating technical complexities and balancing innovation with security. As blob usage accelerates, the success of PeerDAS and related upgrades will determine whether the network can sustain decentralized operations while meeting growing demand. Developers and stakeholders alike are closely monitoring the December 2024 BPO fork, viewing it as a pivotal test for Ethereum’s long-term viability in an increasingly data-intensive blockchain ecosystemVitalik Buterin Outlines Scalable Solution for Ethereum’s Data Surge^[1].