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Ethereum, a cornerstone of the blockchain landscape, is facing renewed scrutiny over its ability to scale amidst the growing popularity of Layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently voiced skepticism about Ethereum’s long-term viability, suggesting its dominance may be waning. However, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has swiftly countered these concerns with a groundbreaking new initiative.
Vitalik Buterin Unveils Radical Layer-Zero Upgrade
In a move that has sent ripples through the crypto community, Buterin has proposed a “Layer-Zero” upgrade aimed at fundamentally overhauling Ethereum’s core infrastructure. This ambitious plan centers on transitioning from the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a more efficient zkVM system leveraging RISC-V standards. The potential gains from this shift are substantial, promising to drastically reduce computational cycles by up to 832 times and slash proving cycles by an impressive 95.7%. Furthermore, the upgrade anticipates a 30-fold increase in throughput through GPU acceleration and a significant compression of proof sizes from 346MB to a mere 1.5MB.
New @VitalikButerin blog post on replacing the EVM with RISC-V in the long-term.
— Uma Roy (@pumatheuma) April 20, 2025
I am a huge fan of this direction for Ethereum's execution layer.
Today, RISC-V zkVMs like SP1 are the clear endgame solution for "ZK-ifying" Ethereum and quickly becoming the de-facto solution for… pic.twitter.com/yFBojIheqC
Can Layer-Zero Secure Ethereum’s Long-Term Dominance?
This proposed overhaul carries significant implications for Ethereum’s future. By enhancing the base layer’s efficiency, the Layer-Zero upgrade could diminish Ethereum’s reliance on external Layer-2 solutions, directly addressing Hoskinson’s criticisms. A faster and more cost-effective Ethereum could prove more appealing to both developers and users, bolstering its competitiveness in the evolving blockchain ecosystem. While still in the conceptual stage, this proposal signals Ethereum’s commitment to innovation and its determination to maintain its leading position.
Ethereum Poised for a Transformative Era
Buterin’s proactive response underscores Ethereum’s readiness to adapt and evolve. Rather than succumbing to the rise of newer platforms, Ethereum appears poised to redefine itself and solidify its long-term leadership in the blockchain space. The coming years promise to be pivotal for Ethereum’s global community, as this ambitious upgrade has the potential to usher in a new era of enhanced performance and sustained relevance.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
Also Read: Ethereum Researcher Proposes 100x Gas Limit Boost to Hit 2,000 TPS
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