In a recent blog post, Vitalik Buterin has suggested changes to the Ethereum blockchain structure that could speed up block confirmation processes.
Current Ethereum System
Currently, Ethereum employs a slot-based system where the fork choice and block finality processes occur within the same timeframe. This requires several rounds of validator communication for confirming each block, which, while secure, slows down the process.
Proposed Two-Tier Model
Buterin proposed a 'two-tier' design where a small, fixed set of validators (around 256) would operate the LMD GHOST fork choice in real time, quickly determining the head of the chain. A larger group of validators, working on a slower schedule, would handle block finality, making irreversible block decisions.
Potential Benefits of the Changes
This separation may reduce the number of communication rounds per slot, shorten block times, and allow the network to accommodate a significantly larger validator pool, potentially scaling up to a million participants without significant technical complexity. It could also simplify future updates of finality mechanisms without impacting the core chain-selection logic.
While the idea is still in the research phase, its adoption could represent a significant step towards enhancing Ethereum's efficiency without compromising security.
