Ethereum's Architect Vitalik Buterin Suggests a New Venture: SimpleL1 as a Potential New Path for Ethereum's Development

Ethereum's Architect Vitalik Buterin Suggests a New Venture: SimpleL1 as a Potential New Path for Ethereum's Development

Simplifying Ethereum's Core: The Road to SimpleL1

Ethereum is embracing a new era with the introduction of SimpleL1, an innovative architecture proposition by Vitalik Buterin. This transformation dissects Ethereum into two core components: a lean consensus layer and an execution layer.

The consensus layer focuses on managing proof-of-stake (PoS) validators and block proposals, while the execution layer is responsible for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) operations and smart contract execution. The primary objective is to refine Ethereum’s fundamental structure, making it more intuitive, durable, and effortless to maintain and upgrade.

The Core Elements of SimpleL1

• Two-Part Split: Cleverly separating consensus from execution, improving module independence and reducing overall complexity in each layer.
• Unified Serialization (SSZ): Implementing Simple Serialize (SSZ) as a standard serialization format across all Ethereum layers (consensus, execution, and smart contract Application Binary Interface - ABI). This empowers streamlined tooling and simplified interoperability.
• Optimized Binary Merkle Tree: Transitioning from the existing hexary Merkle Patricia tree to a more efficient binary tree with optimizedhash functions. This advancement benefits block execution provers, reduces data costs, and promotes consistent access and interpretation throughout the protocol.
• Streamlined Slot/Epoch Logic: Introducing a less complex "3-slot finality" mechanism, which simplifies slot and epoch logic and can be implemented with minimal coding (approximately 200 lines).

Advantages of SimpleL1

• Enhanced Simplicity: By dividing tasks and standardizing data structures, the architecture minimizes overall system complexity, making Ethereum more accessible, easier to comprehend, audit, and upgrade.
• Boosted Efficiency: The shift to an optimized binary tree and SSZ serialization results in quicker, more efficient proving, storage, and verification, benefiting both light clients and full nodes.
• Privacy Foundation: The architecture is designed to facilitate a simplified privacy roadmap with privacy integrated at the protocol level, ensuring user privacy and self-sovereignty.
• Easier Maintenance: Standardized formats and simplified mechanisms such as the 3-slot finality mean fewer debugging issues and a more manageable codebase.
• Cross-Layer Collaboration: Shared data formats and tree structures facilitate effortless collaboration between layers, enabling the development of cross-layer tools and infrastructure.

SimpleL1 at a Glance

| Feature | Description | Benefit ||---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|| Two-Layer Split | Consensus and execution layers are separated | Modularity, easier upgrades || SSZ Serialization | Single format for all layers | Simplified tooling, better interoperability || Binary Merkle Tree | Replaces hexary Merkle Patricia tree | Faster proving, less data, better efficiency || 3-Slot Finality | Simpler slot/epoch logic for block finality | Less code, fewer bugs || Privacy Integration | Privacy by default at protocol level | Enhanced user privacy, self-sovereignty |

Conclusion

"SimpleL1 splits Ethereum into two layers: a lean consensus layer (handling PoS validator management, block proposals) and an execution layer..., with the goal of making Ethereum more robust, efficient, and simpler to maintain and upgrade." By adopting SimpleL1, Ethereum aims to evolve into a more long-lasting, user-friendly, and privacy-focused foundation for global finance and decentralized applications.

1. The consensus layer, a part of SimpleL1, focuses on managing PoS validators and block proposals.
2. In contrast, the execution layer is responsible for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) operations and smart contract execution within SimpleL1.
3. By cleverly separating consensus from execution, SimpleL1 improves module independence and reduces overall complexity in each layer.
4. Implementing Simple Serialize (SSZ) as a standard serialization format across all Ethereum layers enhances streamlined tooling and simplified interoperability.
5. Transitioning from the existing hexary Merkle Patricia tree to a more efficient binary tree benefits block execution provers, reduces data costs, and promotes consistent access and interpretation throughout the protocol.
6. Introducing a less complex "3-slot finality" mechanism simplifies slot and epoch logic and can be implemented with minimal coding, approximately 200 lines.
7. The architecture of SimpleL1 is designed to facilitate a simplified privacy roadmap with privacy integrated at the protocol level, ensuring user privacy and self-sovereignty.
8. Adopting SimpleL1 means fostering a more manageable codebase with fewer debugging issues, leading to easier maintenance.
9. Shared data formats and tree structures in SimpleL1 enable the development of cross-layer tools and infrastructure, driving innovation in the Ethereum ecosystem and making it more scalable and versatile for various decentralized applications and technologies.

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