Ethereum Goes ZK-First: L1 zkEVM Roadmap Unveiled

Key Points

1. Ethereum is transitioning to a 'ZK-first' approach, with plans to implement a Layer 1 zkEVM capable of handling live mainnet traffic without compromising security.

2. Validators will be able to opt into 'ZK clients,' which use succinct zero-knowledge proofs instead of re-executing blocks, improving efficiency.

3. The Foundation has set strict real-time proving targets, including 128-bit security and a proof size under 300 KiB, with temporary tolerances for lower security during the transition.

4. Hardware requirements for validators are capped at $100,000 in capital expenditure and 10 kW power draw to ensure accessibility and reduce energy usage.

5. The announcement comes amid a competitive zero-knowledge proof race, with projects like Succinct's SP1 Hypercube zkVM already demonstrating significant progress in proof generation speed.

6. If successful, the roadmap could lead to a 2026 Ethereum mainnet where all blocks, transactions, and smart-contract calls are verified by cryptographic proofs, enabling higher throughput and lower hardware barriers.