Ethereum News Update: Ethereum's Major Crypto Revamp: Increased Gas Fees for a Quantum-Secure Tomorrow
- Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin argues zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs require full homomorphic encryption (FHE) for post-quantum security and coercion resistance. - He identifies the modexp precompile as a major ZK scalability bottleneck, proposing its replacement with EVM code despite higher gas costs. - Removing modexp would streamline ZK-rollups but increase transaction fees by 15-25%, with Buterin emphasizing network-wide efficiency gains justify the trade-off. - Ethereum's cryptographic modernizatio
Vitalik Buterin, one of the founders of
The modexp precompile, which was added to Ethereum in its early stages to speed up RSA encryption and digital signature operations, is now largely outdated in the context of SNARK-based cryptography. Buterin observed that only a small number of use cases, such as RSA verification and cross-chain bridges, still depend on modexp, and these could be migrated to newer cryptographic methods without sacrificing performance. Eliminating modexp would simplify the development of ZK-rollups, shorten proof generation times, and allow for quicker transaction finality. However, this would come at the cost of higher gas fees for certain transactions—estimated to rise by 15-25%—though Buterin believes the overall benefits to the network outweigh these drawbacks
Ethereum’s efforts to update its cryptography go beyond just modexp. Buterin has promoted protocols like GKR (Gatekeeper-Reduced), which can speed up complex mathematical checks on standard consumer hardware, and has called for more transparent performance benchmarks for ZK and FHE technologies. His strategy focuses on improving scalability and security, aiming to retire outdated precompiles and move toward modular designs that fit Ethereum’s post-Merge philosophy. Feedback from developers and events such as Devcon has been largely positive, with many agreeing that holding onto legacy features like modexp slows down innovation
For developers, replacing modexp marks a transition toward more autonomous EVM code, reducing reliance on specialized precompiles and improving compatibility across blockchains. As ZK-rollups evolve, users could benefit from reduced transaction costs, provided the proposed EIPs are successfully adopted. Buterin’s initiative demonstrates Ethereum’s ongoing dedication to innovation, ensuring the platform stays at the forefront of secure and scalable blockchain technology.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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