Vitalik Buterin Proposes EIP-7864 to Improve Ethereum Performance with Vector Amount

Ethereum co-founder is shifting focus back to developing the protocol’s base layer rather than emphasizing Layer 2 solutions. He states that the main sustainable obstacle for Ethereum lies in its state storage structure and processing architecture, as zero-knowledge proof technology takes on a more prominent role. The volume of vectors in cryptographic computations has become a key factor in accelerating proof generation.

Binary Trees Replacing Merkle Patricia - Cost Reduction with Vectors

Buterin points out that state trees and execution layers account for over 80% of current proof costs. Therefore, he proposes EIP-7864, which suggests replacing the hexary Merkle Patricia tree structure with a binary tree.

This new model is designed to reduce the length of Merkle proofs by approximately four times. The benefits are clear—shorter proofs mean less bandwidth needed for verification, especially for lightweight clients and privacy-focused applications.

Additionally, binary trees group storage slots into pages, making data access more efficient when applications access related data. When distributed applications load adjacent storage slots, Buterin estimates that some transactions could save more than 10,000 gas. He recommends pairing this new tree with efficient hash functions for vector computation to further speed up proof creation.

RISC-V and Vector Computation - A New Direction for Ethereum Virtual Machine

Beyond improving state storage, Buterin also proposes a deep review of Ethereum’s processor architecture. He is considering transitioning from EVM to an architecture based on RISC-V for proof generation. RISC-V has been adopted in many modern systems, potentially reducing integration complexity.

Buterin notes that increasing reliance on precompiles indicates limitations of EVM. He suggests adding a precompile for vector calculations, described as “GPU for EVM,” which could significantly accelerate cryptographic operations. With vector volumes and parallel computations, Ethereum’s transaction processing capacity could increase dramatically.

Community Concerns - Increased Complexity and Risks

However, these proposals have faced criticism. DBCrypto analysts warn that deep protocol modifications could lead to greater complexity. Each added layer might expand attack surfaces and increase trust assumptions. These risks need careful consideration.

But Buterin affirms that Ethereum must continue evolving as zero-knowledge proofs shift from optional tools to foundational infrastructure. Most future scalability benefits may come from fundamental protocol improvements rather than additional layers. By integrating vector computation into Ethereum’s core architecture, the network could achieve more efficient and cost-effective performance.