The Ethereum Foundation has announced a plan to implement Layer 1 zkEVM within the next year, potentially significantly changing the ZK rollup ecosystem.
Implementation Plan for zkEVM at Layer 1
In a newly released roadmap, the Ethereum Foundation revealed plans to roll out a Layer 1 zkEVM. This step could redefine the roles of ZK rollups and the startups built around them.
Goals and Advantages of the New Technology
The initiative aims to allow Ethereum validators to verify multiple ZK proofs from different virtual machines without re-executing transactions. Key goals include sub-10-second latency, proof sizes under 300 KiB, and robust 128-bit security standards.
Impact on Independent Layer 2 Projects
According to Ethereum researcher Sophia Gold, the long-term vision includes making zero-knowledge functionality part of every layer of the protocol. However, this development may put pressure on independent Layer 2 ZK projects, forcing startups to adapt to the network’s standards or risk obsolescence.
Ethereum continues to adopt zero-knowledge technologies, which could solidify its dominance while reshaping the landscape for ZK innovations.
