Vitalik Buterin has presented a series of strategies aimed at reducing staking centralization risks within the Ethereum network. These proposals are part of the forthcoming 'Scourge' upgrade, which intends to tackle critical issues in the blockchain ecosystem.
Proof-of-Stake Centralization Risks
In his latest blog entry, Buterin underscores the potential risks associated with proof-of-stake (PoS) centralization, particularly regarding Maximal Extractable Value (MEV). MEV denotes the profit block producers can extract by deciding which transactions to include, exclude, or reorder within a block. Presently, two entities are responsible for selecting the contents of about 88% of Ethereum blocks, which heightens the risk of transaction censorship and delays.
Buterin's Proposed Solutions
To counter the risks tied to centralization, Buterin suggests implementing an encrypted mempool, which would help eliminate the risk of transaction censorship. An encrypted mempool would make it harder for block proposers to censor specific transactions, thereby improving the network’s resilience and simplicity. Buterin stresses the necessity for further development to craft a solution that balances these features and is ready for deployment. He also addresses the capital provision for Ethereum staking. He notes that 30% of the ETH supply is currently under staking, which is adequate to safeguard the network from 51% attacks. However, if this figure reaches 100%, it could introduce significant dangers, such as undermining the slashing mechanism and unnecessary issuance of additional ether. To alleviate these risks, Buterin suggests capping the amount of ether an individual can stake and establishing a two-tier staking system, in which staked ether would be divided into a slashable and an unslashable portion.
Application-Level Solutions
Beyond these network-level strategies, Buterin recommends various application-level solutions. These involve creating and promoting specialized staking hardware and encouraging solo stakers through airdrops. He also proposes minimizing MEV through advanced application design. The 'Scourge' upgrade signifies a major advancement in addressing the issues of staking centralization in the Ethereum network. By adopting these strategies, Buterin aims to foster a more decentralized and resilient blockchain ecosystem.
Buterin's strategies aim to strengthen decentralization and resilience within the Ethereum ecosystem. These proposals could mark a significant step in blockchain technology development and minimizing centralization threats.