Ethereum Proposes 16.77 Million Gas Cap Per Transaction to Boost Security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and researcher Toni Wahrstätter have introduced a new proposal, EIP-7983, which aims to cap the gas usage per transaction at 16.77 million units. This proposal is designed to enhance Ethereum's robustness against denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, increase stability, and improve compatibility with zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs).

Currently, Ethereum's configuration allows a single transaction to consume the entire block's gas limit, making the network vulnerable to DoS attacks. This vulnerability arises because one high-demand transaction can monopolize resources, leading to network instability and uncertainty. EIP-7983 addresses this issue by setting a hard cap of 16.77 million gas (2²⁴) per transaction, thereby increasing Ethereum's resistance to certain DoS vectors.

The proposed gas cap is not only a security measure but also a licensing issue. By encouraging developers to split large transactions into smaller, manageable ones, EIP-7983 enhances Ethereum's compatibility with zkVMs. Transactions exceeding the 16.77 million gas limit will be rejected at the block validation level, ensuring they do not enter the network. This measure operates independently of the block-level gas maximum, which remains adjustable by validators.

Buterin and Wahrstätter chose the 16.77 million gas limit to accommodate most current decentralized finance (DeFi) and contract deployment applications while reducing unnecessary risk. Although the cap is not backward compatible for addresses exceeding the limit, the vast majority of existing Ethereum transactions are already below this threshold, minimizing disruption. EIP-7983 builds on earlier work, such as EIP-7825, to make Ethereum's transaction handling more predictable and user-friendly.

EIP-7983 is part of Buterin's broader vision to simplify Ethereum. In May, he advocated for a simplified protocol similar to Bitcoin's minimalism to enhance efficiency, security, and usability. His five-year plan involves streamlining Ethereum's execution, consensus, and shared components. Additionally, Buterin is exploring concepts like "pluralistic identity," a digital identity system that balances privacy with equal online engagement.

EIP-7983 has garnered positive feedback from the Ethereum community, addressing long-standing concerns about network security and stability. The implementation of this gas cap is expected to facilitate further advancements in the Ethereum ecosystem, including the development of more complex and efficient smart contracts. As Ethereum continues to evolve, proposals like EIP-7983 are essential for ensuring its long-term sustainability and growth.