Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Increased BLOB Count in Ethereum Blocks

The number of BLOBs in Ethereum blocks should be increased to enhance Layer 2 throughput, according to Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of the network.

In March, the Dencun hard fork activated EIP-4844, implementing the Proto-Danksharding option to create a new type of transaction for BLOBs.

This space is intended for temporarily storing large volumes of data, significantly reducing fees in the L2 ecosystem, particularly those based on Rollups technology.

Buterin noted that BLOB space is currently about 75% filled. The target and maximum figures are three and six BLOBs per block, respectively. The Ethereum co-founder proposed increasing these to four and eight.

“The ecosystem is asleep, unaware of how uncomfortably close it is to the ceiling,” commented Buterin.

Implementing this initiative requires changes within EIP-7623, which is under consideration in the Pectra update.

EIP-7623 proposes increasing the cost of accessing the base level of data availability in Ethereum. This would reduce the maximum block size from 2.7 MB to ~1 MB, freeing up space for a potential increase in the gas limit or BLOB count.

Buterin believes some L2s hesitate to utilize large binary data arrays due to potential market congestion.

“We cannot slow down the transition of rollups to BLOBs. EIP-7623 is crucial,” he explained.

Base head Jesse Pollak supported Buterin’s proposal.

I strongly support @VitalikButerin‘s proposal to increase blob count, combined with EIP-7623.

reduces worst-case block size and adds needed capacity for fast growing L2s. the growth is exponential!

the @base team is contributing to unlock this — and we’re ready to do more. pic.twitter.com/TSpkqZLTFB

— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) September 26, 2024

“[Activation of EIP-7623] will reduce block size in the worst case but add necessary capacity for rapidly growing L2s, and the growth will be exponential,” the expert noted.

Previously, Buterin highlighted the increased availability of rollups amid declining fees.

In September, Web3 researcher Cygaar called for higher fees for BLOBs to restore ETH burn rates.

Developers have proposed splitting the major Pectra update into two parts, with the first phase planned for activation in early 2025.