Vitalik Announces Code Replacement and Update to Ethereum's Executive Roadmap

Vitalik Buterin recently revealed an ambitious roadmap for Ethereum’s execution layer, focusing on replacing the core code through fundamental infrastructure improvements. According to specialized media reports, this plan includes major modifications to the data storage system and the virtual machine, indicating the network’s readiness to evolve toward a new era of efficiency and performance.

State Tree Development: From Merkle Patricia to Binary Structure

The first part of the plan focuses on updating the current state tree, which relies on the six-way Merkle Patricia structure. Vitalik proposes transitioning to an improved binary tree structure through EIP-7864, providing higher efficiency in hash function operations. This transformation aims to utilize advanced hash functions like Blake3 or Poseidon, which offer faster processing speeds than traditional methods.

The main benefit of this improvement is significantly reducing the length of Merkle branches, lowering the bandwidth costs required to verify data. Additionally, the binary structure plan will integrate storage cells into organized pages, reducing the cost of accessing neighboring information. The design also retains metadata bits to enable future state expiration features.

Replacing the Virtual Machine: Moving Toward RISC-V

The second part of the plan involves replacing the current Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) code with an optimized version based on RISC-V architecture. This replacement aims to achieve a qualitative leap in execution efficiency and cryptographic proof performance.

The new virtual machine will feature advanced capabilities, including support for creating Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs directly from the client, facilitating verification processes. Moreover, RISC-V architecture will fundamentally simplify code execution, making the network more responsive and easier to maintain and develop in the future.

Gradual Deployment Path and Backward Compatibility

The new code replacement plan adopts a cautious and gradual approach to ensure stability and security. The first phase will involve replacing pre-compiled contracts, a critical step to test the new system. Subsequently, the network will support deploying new contracts under the optimized virtual machine.

In the final phase, the network will achieve full backward compatibility, allowing for a gradual replacement of the current EVM. This phased approach ensures uninterrupted services and maintains ecosystem stability around Ethereum, providing developers and users with sufficient time to adapt to the new changes.