Ethereum, the second blockchain in the ecosystem, is planning minor developments for the coming year. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently shared the outline of the upcoming roadmap. This development perspective looks like a continuation of the efforts undertaken in 2023, with adjustments to consolidate and enrich the network.
On 15 September 2022, Ethereum saw its biggest transformation come to fruition. "The Merge" represents Ethereum's transition from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), aiming to reduce energy consumption while improving its efficiency. This transition is not yet complete, as other major developments are underway, such as the Single Slot Finality (SSF) system, an essential element in consolidating proof of stake (PoS) post-The Merge. SSF, an innovation specific to Ethereum, aims to speed up and secure the validation of transactions within precisely defined timeframes.
"The Surge" is the second phase of Ethereum's development roadmap, where the blockchain is ready to evolve using rollups. Vitalik Buterin highlighted significant progress on this phase, which aims to reduce transaction costs, while also aiming to achieve a processing capacity of more than 100,000 transactions per second. Currently at the prototype stage (vertical black line), this development is crucial for the accessibility and profitability of the network.
The Ethereum network is committed to improving interoperability between its various components. The objective is complex, but vital to its future development. At the same time, measures are planned to avoid excessive concentration of power, notably through "The Scourge", an initiative aimed at ensuring more balanced decentralisation.
The roadmap includes initiatives such as "The Verge", which seeks to facilitate block validation using techniques such as SNARK proofs. These cryptographic methods enable transactions to be verified without revealing sensitive information, thereby enhancing the confidentiality and efficiency of the process.
"The Purge", an important part of the roadmap, is about simplifying the Ethereum protocol, eliminating technical debt and reducing the costs associated with using the network. Under the banner of "The Splurge", Ethereum is also planning improvements to the technical specifications (EVM) and account management mechanisms to optimise the user experience.
Although the exact timetable has yet to be determined, improvements to the Ethereum network will be implemented in an order of priority that takes account of current needs and challenges. With regard to future updates, the Dencun update will begin on the Goerli testnet on 17 January 2024. This update will incorporate changes designed to lower costs, increase transparency and optimise various Ethereum features.
This ambitious roadmap charts a course towards a more robust, faster and more accessible Ethereum, demonstrating the platform's ongoing commitment to improving its infrastructure without compromising its reliability.
Source: https://twitter.com/VitalikButerin/status/1741190491578810445?s=20
