Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has presented three potential solutions to address what he identifies as a looming systemic complexity within Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. In a detailed post on the Ethereum Research forum, Buterin highlighted the challenges posed by the increasing number of signatures required for validators to keep the network operational.
The heart of the problem lies in the extensive workload placed on validators, who are essential for maintaining the network’s functionality. As the number of validators continues to grow, the burden of generating signatures essential for proper network operation escalates, putting a strain on the system. Upcoming upgrades are expected to exacerbate this issue by significantly increasing signature requirements.
Buterin’s Fixes: Simplifying Ethereum’s PoS
Buterin’s proposed solutions revolve around the common goal of reducing the required signatures to 8,192 per slot in the Ethereum blockchain. Each solution introduces a distinct approach to tackle the complexity associated with the current PoS design.
Decentralized Staking Pools: One approach involves the establishment of decentralized staking pools. By increasing the minimum amount of ether required to run a validator, individual validators are encouraged to collaborate and pool their resources. This would distribute the workload and alleviate the strain on the system.
Two-Tiered Staking: The second proposed solution suggests implementing two layers of stakers with different requirements. A “heavy” layer with higher requirements would participate in finalization, while a “light” layer with lighter requirements adds an additional layer of security to the block finalization process.
Rotating Participation: The third solution introduces a rotating set of participants, where a random group of validators is selected for each slot. While this would diversify the workload and reduce the overall number of required signatures, Buterin acknowledged the added complexity associated with this approach.
According to the blog post, Buterin emphasized the current challenges posed by Ethereum’s commitment to supporting a high number of validators for the sake of decentralization. The immense number of required signatures per slot creates technical challenges, including intricate attestation propagation mechanisms and potential quantum resistance issues.
To address these challenges, Buterin suggests moving away from the expectation of an ever-increasing number of signatures per slot. He proposes a philosophical pivot to expand the PoS design space, simplify technical implementations, enhance security, and tackle quantum resistance issues effectively.
The Ethereum co-founder also explored the drawbacks of a committee-based approach used by some blockchains, emphasizing the importance of accountability in Ethereum’s current system.
Buterin’s proposal aims to establish a clear expectation of 8,192 signatures per slot, providing technical implementers and the Ethereum community with a more predictable future. The decision on which solution to adopt will involve careful consideration of trade-offs, particularly regarding liquid staking and other related issues.
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