The Future of Ethereum: The Integration of ZK Technology and New Consensus Models

Ethereum is undergoing a major transformation, and the introduction of zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology is changing the way it operates. This technology not only enhances network performance but may also reshape Ethereum's economic model.

The ZK Process of Ethereum

Ethereum is introducing ZK technology at multiple levels, including the consensus layer and the data layer. This initiative aims to enhance the network's transaction processing speed, reduce costs, and improve privacy protection. The application of ZK technology is regarded as a key part of Ethereum's long-term expansion strategy, helping to address the growing user demand and complex application scenarios.

Hardware Dependence of ZK Technology

Despite the obvious advantages of ZK technology, its biggest challenge lies in the performance issue of generating Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP). Due to the complex mathematical operations involved, relying solely on software optimization is insufficient to break through the performance bottleneck. Therefore, the development of dedicated hardware has become an inevitable choice to enhance the efficiency of ZK technology. With hardware acceleration, the generation speed of ZKP is expected to improve from hours to seconds, which would be a revolutionary advancement.

The Combination of PoS and ZK Mining

With the emergence of ZK hardware acceleration, a new economic model is taking shape. This model combines the traditional Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism with ZK mining to form a hybrid consensus model. In this model, validators not only earn rewards through staking but can also earn additional income by providing ZK proof generation capabilities.

Specifically, validators must generate ZKPs as additional proof of their work while performing their PoS duties. Validators who successfully submit valid ZKPs can receive extra rewards, which may be in the form of ETH or other internal network rewards. This mechanism could lead to a tiered block reward system, where a portion is allocated for traditional PoS validation, and another portion is distributed based on the nodes' contributions in ZK proof generation.

The Positive Externalities of ZK Mining

Compared to pure PoS, ZK mining could introduce new positive externalities to the Ethereum ecosystem. Although ZK mining requires dedicated hardware similar to PoW, it avoids the "inefficient energy consumption" problem present in PoW. The goal of ZK mining is to generate valid proofs to verify transactions, rather than solving irrelevant mathematical puzzles, which makes energy use more efficient and purposeful.

AI and ZK Computing Power Sharing

In the future, a comprehensive computing service platform for sharing AI computing power and ZK computing power may emerge. This platform will support the demands for high-performance AI computing and ZK proof generation. Smart contracts or protocols may be developed to integrate AI computing power providers and the ZK proof generation process. Furthermore, computing resources may be dynamically allocated based on demand, allowing for flexible switching between AI and ZK tasks.

Market Leader in ZK Hardware Acceleration

In the field of ZK hardware acceleration, Cysic and Scroll are two projects worth paying attention to. Cysic focuses on providing hardware acceleration services for the entire ZKP ecosystem, having developed two hardware products, ZK Air and ZK Pro, and offers CUDA libraries to support various ZKP systems. Scroll, on the other hand, incorporates ZK hardware acceleration as part of its Layer2 solution, forming a unique competitive advantage by developing dedicated ZK acceleration hardware GPUs.

Outlook

As Ethereum continues to deepen the application of ZK technology, the importance of ZK hardware acceleration will become increasingly prominent. This technology is expected to not only enhance network performance but may also have a reverse impact on Ethereum's economic model. The development of the ZK hardware acceleration track will bring new opportunities and challenges to the Ethereum ecosystem, warranting ongoing attention and in-depth research from industry professionals.