Ethereum Proposes 16.77 Million Gas Limit to Boost Network Security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, along with Toni Wahrstätter, has introduced a proposal known as EIP-7983. This proposal aims to set a gas limit of 16.77 million for individual transactions on the Ethereum network. This limit is independent of the block gas limit and is designed to enhance the network's resistance to Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. By implementing this change, the proposal seeks to address several key issues, including load imbalance, state bloat, and delays in block validation that are often caused by high gas transactions.

The proposal is currently in the draft stage, indicating that it is still under review and has not yet been implemented. The primary goal of EIP-7983 is to improve the overall security and efficiency of the Ethereum network. By setting a gas limit for individual transactions, the network can better manage the computational resources required for processing transactions, thereby reducing the risk of DoS attacks. These attacks can overwhelm the network with a large number of transactions, leading to congestion and delays.

The proposal also addresses the issue of load imbalance, where certain nodes in the network may be overburdened with high gas transactions while others remain underutilized. By setting a gas limit, the network can distribute the load more evenly, ensuring that all nodes operate efficiently. This, in turn, can help mitigate state bloat, which occurs when the state of the network becomes too large to manage effectively. State bloat can lead to increased storage requirements and slower transaction processing times.

Furthermore, the proposal aims to optimize the compatibility and parallel execution efficiency of zkVM. zkVM is a zero-knowledge virtual machine that allows for the execution of smart contracts in a privacy-preserving manner. By improving the compatibility and efficiency of zkVM, the proposal seeks to enhance the overall performance of the Ethereum network, making it more suitable for a wide range of applications.

In summary, EIP-7983 is a significant proposal that aims to enhance the security and efficiency of the Ethereum network. By setting a gas limit for individual transactions, the proposal seeks to address several key issues, including DoS attacks, load imbalance, state bloat, and delays in block validation. Additionally, the proposal aims to optimize the compatibility and parallel execution efficiency of zkVM, making the Ethereum network more robust and efficient. The proposal is currently in the draft stage, and its implementation will depend on the feedback and approval of the Ethereum community.