Key Highlights
- Ethereum plans a binary state tree to cut data load, speed proofs, and save 10k+ gas per transaction.
- A new RISC-V VM could run contracts faster, simplify proofs, and remain fully compatible with existing EVM contracts.
- Faster slots and one-round finality aim to reduce confirmation from 16 minutes to just 8 seconds, boosting efficiency.
Ethereum is preparing major execution-layer upgrades that could speed up transactions and state verification. Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s Co-Founder, recently detailed plans to revamp state trees and the virtual machine (VM).
In a post on X, he said these changes aim to make client-side proofs faster, lower bandwidth requirements, and support advanced zero-knowledge applications. Besides boosting efficiency, the updates could reshape Ethereum’s long-term scalability and developer experience.
Ethereum is planning to upgrade its state tree data structure. The plan is to replace the current hexary Merkle Patricia Tree with a simpler binary tree, as described in EIP-7864. Buterin described that “binary trees can make Merkle branches up to 4x shorter. This makes Helios, PIR and more 4x cheaper by data bandwidth.”
On top of that, using faster hash functions like BLAKE3 or Poseidon could speed up proof generation even more. As a result, Ethereum could handle ZK applications that work directly with the main blockchain state, removing the need for separate trees. Additionally, organizing storage slots into “pages” lets the network load and edit data more efficiently, which could save over 10,000 gas per transaction.
New VM could replace EVM for prover efficiency
Besides improving the state tree, Ethereum may eventually move from the current EVM to a RISC-V-based virtual machine (VM). Vitalik Buterin highlighted that this new VM would run contracts faster and make proof generation simpler.
“A RISC-V interpreter is only a couple hundred lines of code, it’s what a blockchain VM should feel like,” he said. The plan is to roll out the new VM first for precompiles and later allow full contract deployment. The EVM will remain compatible, with only minor gas cost changes expected. This ensures Ethereum stays flexible while boosting performance for client-side proofs and advanced cryptography.
Ethereum also plans faster slot times and quicker finality. Buterin explained that slot times could gradually shrink from 12 seconds down to as low as 2 seconds. A one-round finality system could cut confirmation time from 16 minutes to just 8 seconds.
Optimized P2P protocols with erasure coding will ensure that blocks propagate faster, and thus, these smaller slots will be secure. Additionally, the roadmap has plans for post-quantum signatures and STARK-friendly hashes to ensure the security of Ethereum against potential quantum attacks.
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