Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published a comprehensive evaluation article on what kind of structure the network could evolve into in the coming years.
In his article titled “The Cryptographic World Computer,” Buterin stated that in 2030, Ethereum can still be called a blockchain, but the way it works will be quite different from today.
The system envisioned by Buterin; It will combine the Ethereum blockchain, cryptographic proofs, and computers running outside the network.
The goal is to increase Ethereum's transaction capacity while enabling users and computers on the network to independently verify transactions.
Not every computer will have to do the same operation
In Ethereum, the computers that fully verify the network today largely redo the calculations behind the transactions performed. For example, computers on the network check whether a user actually owns the assets he sends or whether an application works in accordance with the specified rules.
Although this system increases security, it creates a significant obstacle to scaling. Adding more computers to the network does not increase processing capacity at the same rate because most computers recheck the same processes.
According to Buterin, next-generation cryptographic evidence could change this problem.
After a new computer performs operations, it will be able to produce a short mathematical proof that shows that it works according to the rules. Other computers will simply check this proof rather than redoing the entire calculation. Thus, different computers will be able to undertake different tasks at the same time and the total capacity of Ethereum can be increased.
Buterin stated that Ethereum developers aimed to distribute the workload in this way about 10 years ago, but the biggest deficiency at that time was reliable verification that the transactions made were correct.
Big changes are also aimed on the privacy side
Privacy also plays an important role in Buterin's plans.
Today, even checking the balance in a user's wallet often requires sending a query about a specific address to an outside server. This can lead to the party operating the server learning which accounts the user follows.
Buterin wants these queries to be hidden in the future.
In such a system, not only the details of the payments made but also information such as which accounts users control and how the spending authority of an account is determined can be kept confidential.
For example, when an employee of a company checks the balance in the company account, the external service he uses may not be able to find out which accounts the company has.
Transactions can be finalized in 8 to 32 seconds
In Buterin's 2030 vision, Ethereum transactions are expected to be finalized in approximately 8 to 32 seconds.
However, there are important technical problems that need to be solved for the plan to be implemented.
Cryptographic evidence must be produced quickly and cost-effectively. It is also among the issues that developers need to solve to ensure that different computers do not conflict with each other while working on the same accounts and application data simultaneously.
Buterin also stated that some limitations on cost and privacy in complex applications may continue even in 2030.
Hegotá may be the last “normal” update
Buterin also stated that the Hegotá update, planned for next year, may be the last “normal” fork prepared with the current technology approach for Ethereum.
According to him, the main focus of change in Ethereum after Hegotá will increasingly be mathematical proofs, tools to verify errors in software, and resistance to future quantum computers.
Buterin argued that as a result of this transformation, Ethereum could become a much cheaper, scalable and private highly secure computing infrastructure than was possible with previous technology.
The Ethereum founder described this future structure as a “cryptographic world computer.”
