Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently unveiled plans for a major upgrade to the blockchain’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system, known as “The Verge.” In a blog post dated October 23, Buterin highlighted the current challenges faced by Ethereum nodes, particularly in terms of data storage requirements.
Running a fully verifying node on Ethereum currently demands hundreds of gigabytes of data to validate blocks, with this data increasing by approximately 30 GB annually. This high storage demand limits the number of users who can effectively run nodes on the network. To address this issue, Buterin introduced the concept of “stateless client verification” as part of the proposed Verge update.
The Verge update initially focused on the adoption of Verkle trees, a data structure that enables more compact proofs and facilitates stateless verification of Ethereum blocks. However, the scope of the update has since expanded to incorporate advanced cryptographic proofs like SNARKs, which allow for swift verification of complex transactions without revealing sensitive information.
By leveraging stateless verification techniques and integrating SNARKs into the blockchain, Ethereum aims to make blockchain validation more resource-efficient. This approach eliminates the need for nodes to store all blockchain data, as each block would contain a “witness” with essential data and cryptographic proofs for validation.
The transition to stateless clients is crucial for reducing storage requirements and enhancing blockchain performance. This shift not only improves user experience but also makes solo staking more accessible to a broader audience. Buterin suggests replacing Ethereum’s current state structure with either Verkle trees or STARKed binary hash trees to implement these changes effectively.
STARKs offer scalability and security advantages over SNARKs, helping Ethereum overcome existing limitations in its proof systems. Ultimately, the Verge upgrade aims to make fully verifying the chain computationally affordable for all users, from mobile wallets to smartwatches, fostering widespread participation in the Ethereum network.
By integrating these advancements, Ethereum seeks to enhance its overall efficiency and accessibility, paving the way for a more inclusive and robust blockchain ecosystem.